Disappointment Has a Name
A candid conversation about writing from pain, telling the truth on the page, and longing for home. Nigel Byng sits with poet Joni Caggiano for a candid conversation about his book.
1. When writing your poetic manuscript, were there junctures when you felt your pen had a life of its own? When composing personal poems, did your pen manifest emotions and memories that spilled onto your blank pages?
This is a very interesting question. One moment immediately come to mind. It was when I penned the poem – Prodigal. I was in the waiting room, being checked in, and I sat there thinking of where life had brought me. On my phone, I typed the first line, “disappointment has a name,” and it became the catalyst for everything that was written thereafter. The poem was written so quickly that by the time the team arrived to evaluate my eye, it was already completed. But for most of the collection, I would just tap into a memory and allow the words and emotions to run freely.
2. In book one, many difficult, life-changing subjects are touched upon. The death of a family member and a poem called “Entrapment,” which hints at self-awareness about how things differ for those born black and without a lot of money. How did you manage to keep yourself feeling safe while writing about painful events and ruminations on the life around you, which were heart-wrenching at times?
I think it is difficult to write poetry while being emotionally distant. Conversely, the very act of writing is my safe space. There were times when the tears clouded the page I was writing on. But even in that visceral emotional space, I still felt cocooned in the embrace of my muse.
3. Many self-aware writers who open themselves up to their readers experience a profound sense of vulnerability. For example, in Maggie Watson’s sterling book, “Wildflower,” she writes a poem called “Exposed,” in which she describes how she feels when some still don’t believe her story. During your journey of writing this debut poetic collection, did you ever consider the difficult situations you write about and how others might judge you as a man?
Maggie Watson is a fantastic human being and a brilliant poet. I have read and reread several poems from Wildflower. “Exposed” hit close to home, since someone very dearto me had endured horrible abuse from her spouse, and society still found time to judge her rather harshly. Poetry is painfully confessional in nature. It’s like taking a private journal and dumping its contents on social media for all the world to see. Some of which will not be to everyone’s taste, and as Maggie so astutely wrote, “you may need honey to sweeten them.”
You never know how anyone will interpret what you write. But even that is a liberating thought when carefully considered. Who cares what the world thinks, after my burdens have been lifted? I was aware that there are situations in my past where the privacy of others may be compromised. In those instances, there were omissions and obfuscation. The language is decidedly ambiguous.
4. There are many stunning pieces in this book that speak to your faith, and many writers consider this subject somewhat political or even taboo. Yet many of these poems brought me to tears and touched my heart with profound depth. Is your faith strong enough that you felt you had to give “God His Due” by recognizing the role He played in shaping you into the young man you were and the adult you are today?
I am never ashamed of my faith. Neither am I worried about another person’s opinion of it. One thing I refuse to do is to allow my writing to be used as the vessel of religious indoctrination. That has never ended well for any society. I believe that religious liberty is a sacred individual right and should not be legislated by the government or even a religious body. Do I attempt to propagate my beliefs? No. The poetry that delves into this subject matter is profoundly personal. They will resonate with most and hopefully offend none. Is my faith strong enough to withstand the sneers? Yes, it is. One should never be reluctant to give credit where it is due. I give God thanks because I believe he has blessed my creativity and inspires all of my work. My faith in God is in itself inspiration, and never an imposition.
5. You took your readers to Trinidad to experience much of its culture and the flavor of its language. As a reader, I felt this added significance to the book. It was a layer of smells, nature’s beauty, and a different way of life. When you look back at the book, do you feel you did the culture justice, and is there anything you would do differently in your next book about your homeland?
If I were to dedicate a book to Trinidadian culture, it would be written from a very different perspective. To do justice to what will forever be my home will require a semi-permanent presence and being infused in the dialect, the pace of life, the laughter, the food, the music, and, of course, the people. When I wrote about home in this poetry collection, it was more of a weighted nostalgia. A longing for what probably no longer exists. That time has passed, but the memories were the perfect inspiration for wonderful poetry. I am glad that I was able to infuse some of the poems with my colloquialisms. I do miss being able to converse in a Trini dialect.
6. Nigel, you have created such a timeless piece of writing, bound within the covers of this debut book. Would you be kind enough to give us an idea of what to look for next from such a talent? Also, do you feel relieved or encouraged now that this project has been released and has already surpassed even your own dreams in its enormous success?
The project was such an intense and time-consuming process – five months from inspiration to publication – that it was good when I finally released it into the world. How it performs, or has been performing, was and is beyond my control. It is good to watch it do so well, but there was no anxiety attached to the release. I did feel frustrated at not being able to focus on my writing, but Michelle Navajas had invested so much time and resources in bringing this book to market that I owed her a reciprocal commitment. That is the obligation of writers in today’s publishing game.
Up next is a short story collection, which has been completed and will be submitted to an interested party for evaluation. These things take time, but there are other projects already in the works that are nearing completion. There will also be another series on my blog based on some of the poetry in The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son. It will be a collaboration with my long-time friend and artist, Johnny McDaniels. I have missed working with him.
End.
To Buy “The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son go to this link: https://a.co/d/0aYBBjEP – to visit Nigel’s work go to https://hytsdaily.com/ or find him on Instagram at https://instagram.com/byngnigel
It is a privilege to interview Nigel and to have shared years of friendship with him. I was honored when he and Michelle trusted me to edit the manuscript of his debut poetry collection. I became captivated by the vivid imagery and powerful language filling each page. The book guides us through his mischievous youth, immerses us in the distinct cultures he describes, and invites us to witness his experiences through the lens of faith, love, friendship, and family.
This is what I wrote when asked for a quote after reading this amazing collection!
“Winds blow specks of sand in layers across dunes. In visionary patterns, like vocal harmonies, they rise and fall like the sea. Time dances, stands alone in silence, shrouded in tears,heartbreak, and shifts in memory. Art draws breath as only a unique, sensitive mortal can bring an orchestration of beauty to life. Words hum, and pages flow, ushering forth an array of sections that breathe and span a soulful palette only a talented artist can fashion. This was the impassioned body of a long-cherished dream, and I was honored to be an editor. Nigel Jerome Byng’s debut collection is a tribute to those grains of sand on which a talented poet and
storyteller walks.” Joni Karen Caggiano
It was such a beautiful gesture when you gave me your thoughts in poetic form. It was a pleasure working with you on this project, Joni. I learned a lot from the experience. Thank you for this interview.
My pleasure, Nigel. I had such a good time and loved your honest answers. I also loved your and Michelle’s interview; it was one of the most interesting and different interviews I had read in a long time, and I learned so much about you. You are a pleasure to collaborate with, my friend. I am so happy for you in every way. You deserve it; you wrote an amazingly beautiful, orchestrated best-selling book.
Thank you so much, Joni. One day, I will look back and think fondly of this experience. I am happy the book is being well received. It was a silent applaud for the long hours you and I put in. And ut validate the trust that Michelle placed in us to get things right.
Nigel, you are being too kind. There was nothing silent about it. You have been very thoughtful with your gratitude and your success is applaud enough. You are right though, you get so busy it is hard to take the time to enjoy the success your worked so hard to obtain. I hope you will try and realize “You Made It!” YEA!!!
Thank you, Joni. 🥰
My pleasure, Nigel. 🙏🌹🙏
A lovely interview! 💖
Thank you so much for sharing, dearest Joni! 🤗❤️🌹
Dearest Bianca, thank you for reading it means a lot. I know that you and Nigel have worked so closely together on so many projects and your and Nigel’s collaborations are always inspiring and usually heart-rendering. I wrote a comment on Nigel’s site to you as well, with that gorgeous quote he wrote about you. Big hugs and many blessings dear Bianca.
Thank you so muxh, Bianca. You have always been so supportive. God bless you my darling friend. 😊
An in-depth and revealing interview with a writer who deserves his place in the spotlight. It’s always good to peer into the minds of creative people, and this interview was twice the fun–both you and Nigel are brilliant writers blessed with unmatched creativity and the peerless ability to birth new worlds into being with flourish of a pen. I’m so proud of Nigel. He writes at a level I only hope to match someday, and you, Joni, have attained Grandmaster status as a poet in my opinion, and constantly amaze and inspire me with your effortless verse. Here’s hoping for continued success for both of you. 😊
Dearest Mike, Thank you for this extremely gracious comment concerning the interview and Nigel and myself as writers. As always, you touched my heart and I know that Nigel will be filled with gratitude by your kindred words. We are fans of each other’s work and are all supportive of one another. Nigel and I did have fun with this interview and I think it was because he was so open about being honest with the difficult questions. I am also so happy for Nigel who has worked so hard and has finally got the dream he wanted so badly. He sure put in the time as does Michelle’s publishing team. She is a dream to work with as you and I both know as well. A consummate professional in every way. Thank you again, and I am sure Nigel will also answer these kind comments as time allows. He even has customers coming in with books at work for signatures – I am so happy for him, and I know you are too. Michelle is thrilled of course and she should be. YEA Love and hugs, Joni
You’re so kind, Mikey. I truly appreciate you, my friend. Will shoot you an email a Lil later. Gotta catch up with you, Sir.
It was interesting to read this review and gain more understanding into the man behind the verse in The Drifter The Prodigal The Lost Son. Great interview, Joni and Nigel!
Thank you so much Priscilla. I enjoyed your wonderfully written review so much and thought you truly did an outstanding job bringing up so many excellent points. What a sweet kindness. So glad to hear from you and your thoughtful words. Blessings to you!
Thank you so much, Priscilla . Your support has always kept me motivated. You’re ever present, and I Thank you for being a true friend to me and other writers in the WP community.
And thanks for the review as well. 😊
It’s wonderful that you posted your great Nigel interview, Joni! 😍
Hi Timothy, Thank you for being so very gracious to read the interview. I am so glad you did, and thank you for your sweet comment. I am pretty new at doing interviews but Nigel made it fun as he let me ask what ever I wanted and he was so honest. Hope the family is all well. We are excited as next week the entire family is coming and I can’t wait to see everyone. We cherish our kids and I know that you get to see your extended family more than I do and I am so grateful that you do. Once the kids get into sports and are involved in so many other things and as busy as the parents are it gets impossible to get away. Big hugs and blessings to you and all your loved ones 🫶
It was my pleasure to read your review and say what I think, Joni. 😍 We take the time to see our children and grandchildren. It’s a blessing for us. 💖🙏 May God bless you and your family, Joni. 🙏💖🙏
Thank you, Timothy. 🙏🌹🙏
Thank you for stopping by Timothy. This was a lovely interview, as Joni pushed all the right buttons. Your presence and comment are a blessing, sir.
🙏🙏
My pleasure, Nigel. 😊
that was a great interview with Nigel, Joni! Bravo! I really enjoyed it! 💞💞
Dearest Carol Anne it is wonderful to hear from you and I’m so glad that you enjoyed the interview. It was a lot of fun, Nigel didn’t push back on those hard questions. He was honest and forthcoming and we all got to learn a little more about him. Big hugs and lots of love and blessings coming your way.
Thank you so much, Carol anne
I just finished reading Nigel’s wonderful collection! It touched me deeply, and I congratulate Nigel on his success. I enjoyed reading this interview very much. I will be posting my review on May 20th.
Dearest Dawn, you are such a busy lady and I appreciate so much you taking the time to read this interview, Michelle’s was amazing and a lot of fun to read and entertaining and different. I tried to throw some different and more difficult questions to answer his way and he certainly did a good job. What a blessing that you’re going to get a review out on the 20th. Thank you so much for letting me know and I can’t wait to read it. His book really is an amazing read. Many blessings to you.
Thank you so much, Dawn. It means a lot to me that you took time out to check out this interview and even keave a comment. I truky look forward to your review.
I really enjoyed this interview and Joni you asked such great open-ended question, which Nigel answered truthfully and with depth and transparency. I love this line as it is So True:) “Poetry is painfully confessional in nature. It’s like taking a private journal and dumping its contents on social media for all the world to see.” I would give readings and pour out my heart to a room full of strangers…so I understand it and very much agree. Thank you both..it was wonderful!!
Dearest Karima, it is so wonderful to see you here and I appreciate what a beautiful comment that you left. Nigel was extremely truthful, and I also understand how it feels to be in that confessional, so to speak.
He was fun and forthcoming in the entire process and I enjoyed it very much. I love that line too. Thank you for pointing that out and thank you for your support. Sending big hugs and lots of love to you. 🫶🫶
Oh my pleaure dear one…I enjoyed the interview very much. Good luck to Nigel!!
Dear Karima, You have the kindest heart. Thank you for your words again. Love you!
Thank you so much, Karima. It is one of the things that remained with me even after I wrote it. There is an emotional weight that comes with writing or reading poetry, and it lingers long after you’ve read it.
Wonderful interview! It had a lot of great details, especially the question about future projects.
Thank you so much Edward for reading and your kind response. We had a lot of fun and I was very interested in finding out what Nigel’s next project was indeed!