I decided that it’s about time that I get with the times and build a website for my poetry and art–that are inspired by my work with animals. This forum gives me a place to explain my work a little better than the “50-word bio” most journals confine their contributors to (not saying that that’s bad–they only have so much room!). But I digress… let me tell you a little bit about me.
It was 2009, and I had just graduated from undergrad (with a B.A. in English) into a very unforgiving job market. So to pass the time and explore my interests outside of literature and writing, I started volunteering in wildlife rehabilitation. This was just prior to starting my M.F.A. in Poetry at Drew University. So these two passions–animals and poetry–matured together and deeply influenced my experiences with the other.
I had incredible mentors at Drew who encouraged this exploration of the animal world through language. They challenged me not only to strengthen my poetic powers, but to awaken my appreciation for how my experiences with animals was deepening my self-awareness and helping to draw out emotions that I had buried/put away/pushed off the cliff.
We’ll talk more later.
I received my M.F.A in Poetry from Drew University. My poems have appeared in (see my publications page!). I’ve worked in animal welfare as an animal care technician and animal control officer, as a volunteer in wildlife rehabilitation, and as a veterinary assistant in general practice. I’m a recent veterinary technician graduate and will be sitting for boards later this year (wish me luck!).
It’s never too late to start again (quote the Steppenwolf).
Matthew B. Klitsch 