'Odd Beauty, Strange Fruit: Poems' explores 'unusual people in uncommonly difficult circumstances'

The poems in Susan Swartwout's recent book, "Odd Beauty, Strange Fruit: Poems," were inspired by the author's upbringing in the deep South, as well as childhood moves to many cities.

Swartwout not only teaches writing, publishing and editing classes at Southeast Missouri State University, but she also is an accomplished writer.

She is the author of two poetry chapbooks and one textbook.

Swartwout, a professor of English, serves as publisher of Southeast's University Press. Now, she has added to her own list of publications with a full-length book of poetry, titled "Odd Beauty, Strange Fruit: Poems," published in October.

The poetry was inspired by the author's upbringing and childhood.

Submitted photo by Marcus Painton, Southeast Missouri State University

These experiences play a part in the poems compiled in "Odd Beauty, Strange Fruit."

"My father's family was from Mississippi; my mother and her family lived in Texas.

"I was born in New Orleans, but lived in Framingham, Massachusetts; Atlanta; Pittsburgh; Dallas; and in Illinois: Chicago, Galesburg and Bloomington-Normal," Swartwout said.

She added, "'Odd Beauty, Strange Fruit' explores the gothic elements of the 1950s and 1960s deep South, particularly the stars of the Southern fairs' sideshows, but also other unusual people in uncommonly difficult circumstances, such as villagers in a tiny Honduran town that I visited with a church group that hired me to serve as translator and mural artist on the journey."

The theme of the "unusual" surfaces even before the book's first poem. "Odd Beauty" is introduced by a quotation from comedian George Carlin, which states, "When you're born, you get a ticket to the freak show."

Submitted photo by Marcus Painton, Southeast Missouri State University

Explaining why the Carlin quotation is the book's focal point, Swartwout spoke of her grandmother, whom she said was a mix of kindness and honesty and always referred to someone who did not fit the typical definition of beauty as an "odd beauty."

"If she met someone who was not attractive in the traditional, symmetrical sense, someone not so-called 'perfect,' she would say, 'She's an odd beauty.' She meant the person was beautiful despite any tangents from the norm," Swartwout explained.

She went on to share that people in the South -- New Orleans in particular -- were very tolerant of those who were different.

This extended to "even those with the extreme physical difference of being a conjoined twin or having an extra appendage," she said.

Center to her upbringing, therefore, was the belief that everyone is different, unique -- part of the "freak show," so to speak.

"George Carlin's quote emphasizes the idea that we're all born into this difference, the 'freak show' of daily life. Might as well accept it all and have a happy life," Swartwout said.

One significant poem, which Swartwout admits is difficult for her to read publicly, is "Our Bodies Speak Their Lines."

Deeply emotional, it tells the story of letting go of her two sons, who have become adults and moved away.

"Something as simple as holding my young son's hand to cross the street has faded into our past and gone," she said, then connected it to the poem's ending, which laments, "I know when next I look, something else will have vanished."

Those who can relate to the pain of letting go or being an outsider, or looking different or growing up around people who are outsiders or different, may see the pages of "Odd Beauty, Strange Fruit" as opportunities to reflect and relate and, perhaps, even revel. But they also hold a simpler function.

"Anyone with a bit of imagination will enjoy this work," the poet promised.

And what of those who are intimidated by poetry, who are more accustomed to prose?

"I've been told often that my poetry is very accessible, even to someone unfamiliar with the genre," Swartwout said.

If the book's reception is any indication, what she has been told is accurate. The message is resonating with people and has been well received. Beyond quality writing, the author attributes that success to Brick Mantel Books, an independent press, and publisher Jennifer Geist. Swartwout herself has traveled extensively to promote her newest work.

Since October, she has been a guest panelist at the Louisiana Book Festival, delivered a reading at West Kentucky College, taught a master class, read at Cup 'n' Cork in Cape Girardeau and provided a reading with St. Louis Poet Laureate Michael Castro at The Focal Point in St Louis. Next spring, as part of Women's History Month, she will read at Southern Illinois University.

"I'm happy to read for any group, especially those interested in Southern literature and diversity," she said.

Swartwout offered advice to those who want to follow in her footsteps and become published writers.

"Be serious about your writing, and not just in a big rush to get something -- anything -- in print, no matter how poorly it's prepared, nor so self-critical that you give up. You must never give up. Your writing is your history," Swartwout said.

"Odd Beauty, Strange Fruit: Poems" is available at Amazon.com, online at Barnes & Noble, and directly from Brick Mantel Books at brickmantelbooks.com/books/odd-beauty-strange-fruit.php.