Dr. Joseph. S. Spence, Sr., is a prolific, worldwide acclaimed award-winning, and best-selling poet. He dedicatedly follows his faith, and has life membership in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is a World Peace Ambassador of Human Justice, and International Diplomacy. His mother taught him to read, write, interpret, and recite poems in high school. He has uplifted worldwide humanity with inspirational words since as an internationally acclaimed award-winning poet. He served in poetic leadership positions, conducted poetry seminars, recitals, and assisted poets worldwide with a smiling heart to publish the golden words from the crystal ink of their musing pens. He has authored nine awesome poetry books. His most recently published, 9th inspirational poetry book, “Sincerely Speaking Spiritually,” motivates, uplifts, and inspires souls to press forward and achieve the highest heavenly prize for which they have been called and ordained.

He has taken English literary science, creative writing, African Diaspora, and poetry at University of Maryland Global Campus, and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. During his 26-years in the U. S. Army as an officer, he wrote poems for his military comrades and was named “Apollo” the Greek god of poetry. He has received numerous worldwide awards for his poems, short stories, and articles. He was inducted in various International Scholastic Honor Societies. Governor William Clinton, appointed him, Goodwill Ambassador for Arkansas, USA. Residence? Wisconsin.

Akhila Saroha: Welcome to The Literature Today, Joseph Spence. First of all, congratulations on the publication of your book “Sincerely Speaking Spirituality”. How has the audience responded to the book so far?

Joseph S Spence Sr: Just wonderful response based on my deductive logic! Purchasing from the publisher postage is free in America, unlike Amazon charging postage and shipment.

Akhila Saroha: In the preface of the collection, poetry has been defined as “World’s Dynamic Process”. How would you explain that to an average reader?

Joseph S Spence Sr:  I conducted a research project in 2019 on, “What is Poetry?” Creative Launcher, published two articles, “What is Poetry: World’s Dynamic Process.” Part I, June 2019, on this link:

https://www.thecreativelauncher.com/upload/2.%20Definition%20of%20Poetry.pdf.

“Poetry is dynamic not static. It constantly evolves and grows, moving like an energetic lightning bolt from Zeus, Greek mythical god. It’s a progressive state of mind, placing bodily physical and psychological ailments on the run; creating harmony, peace, and love within.”Part II, December 2019, on this link:

https://www.thecreativelauncher.com/previous_issue26.php.  

“Poetry blends art, songs, and life as one. It’s reality’s finer quality, and beautiful horizon’s setting sun. It’s rhapsody and soul’s essence, reflecting life’s essential light—sweet oil healing ailing hearts!”

Akhila Saroha: You have featured the poetic prayer form in your poems. How did you come up with the form?

Joseph S Spence Sr:  As poetry Chaplin, Worldwide Poetry Alliance, UK, I prayed daily for worldwide poets, from their petitions. I studied the first written poetry prayer, “Wessobrunn Prayer,” named after, Wessobrunn Monastery, Bavaria, composed c790. Poetry existed before “The Odyssey” (800-675 BC); Intercessory Prayer came from the New Testament involving Christ and Peter (1 Peter 2:5), where Christ declared His holy priesthood. Experience with prayers differs. As a military commander, I attended churches soldiers I command worshipped. My experience? —prayers are situationally different. Therefore, I created my own.

Akhila Saroha: How easy or difficult was it to give words and explain your ideas in the book?

Joseph S Spence Sr:  It took seven years to complete, with critical thinking, biblical studies, various church attendance worldwide, Sunday school discussions, and ministerial conferences. I started writing after studying English literature, creative writing, African Diaspora, and poetry at University of Wisconsin. I had everything needed. The difficulty?  Piecing them together! Papers where everywhere. It was a memory test matching the pieces. That was most challenging. 

Akhila Saroha: In the present time when most writers are favoring prose form, how far do you think poetry can develop with a lesser number of writers comparatively?

Joseph S Spence Sr:   I wrote a 3,000 words research article, “Modern Education: Evaporation of Poetry?” Based on research, I recharacterized the thesis to “Modern Education: Poetry Proliferation!” The evaporation allegations are frivolous propaganda. It was submitted to “World Poetry Conference,” 2019, and published: Dr. Jernail Anand, “Dynamics of Poetry: said and the unsaid.” Earth Vision Publication, India, 2020.

Akhila Saroha: What is the basic message that you want to convey to the readers through the medium of the book?

Joseph S Spence Sr:  As a professor who taught worldwide, I found there is no one best way to teach or educate; readers ought to know that fact. Scriptural knowledge is attainable through poetry which is alive and well. 

Akhila Saroha: You have other published poetry collections too. Please share a little about them with the readers.

Joseph S Spence Sr:   I wrote nine books, and numerous peer-reviewed articles. Some published under my pen name, “Epulaeryu Master.” I wrote 100-articles in 100-days consisting of 240-words plus, and earned a certification as an expert author. This link connects with my expert authorship: 

https://ezinearticles.com/expert/Joseph_Spence,_Sr./194051

Approximately 210,000 viewers read my articles. “Epulaeryu Master” is from the Epulaeryu Poems I created at University of Wisconsin. I held “Epulaeryu Poetry” contests with worldwide poets, who received awards for their winning submissions. This link shows four of my books on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Joseph-S-Spence-Sr/e/B0855CYRPS

The next five poetry book, written as the poetry Chaplain and co-founder, “Worldwide Poetry Alliance, UK,” are on lulu.com. 100% royalties from those books were donated to charity, supporting the first responders in the World’s Trade Center Towers, and Pentagon terrorist plane crash on 9/11.

Akhila Saroha: How far did your experience influence in shaping up your writing?

Joseph S Spence Sr:  Other than my mother teaching me to interpret, write and recite poems, and formal education at University of Maryland Global Campus and University of Wisconsin, my experience comes from my years of worldwide military service. Soldiers loved my poems. They named me Apollo the Greek god of poetry and music. One of my commanders? —a great poet! We wrote and exchanged many poems. I recited poems worldwide at military social events and community centers with great success.

Akhila Saroha: Are there any particular authors or books you enjoy reading?

Joseph S Spence Sr: “The Holy Bible!” The world’s most read book. There are over 5 billion copies sold, and translated into many languages. Copies given away freely are not counted. The Bible is filled with English literary conventions. It’s the world’s most popular book; the best book in the world inspired by God. King James Version is my favorite. I still have my 1982 Episcopal Hymnal, packed with English literary conventions, I used while writing poems.

Akhila Saroha: Would you like to give any advice to budding writers?

Joseph S Spence Sr:  Read poems and about poets. Study poetry conventions and use them. Learn poetry elements and apply them while writing. Learn poetry types, they give versatility. If a poetry form is not flowing right, just switch to another form. 

Akhila Saroha: What would you like to say about contemporary writing?

Joseph S Spence Sr:  I love it! I attended several poetry recitals at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. The rapping type poems recited I have never done before. I moved to the front and took lots of notes. The recitals were interesting. 

Akhila Saroha: Thank you so much for sparing your time and answering the questions. All the best to you.

Joseph S Spence Sr: Thank for your expertise in this reality process!