Catching up with Brooklyn-based poet, musician and artist Lynn Gentry has been as simple as finding him busking with his typewriter, taking requests from passersby and creating poems for them on the spot. It’s a vocation that Gentry has carried for seven years. Starting on the corner of Haight and Ashbury and then moving on to New York, Gentry has inspired many other artists along the way. “I wouldn't do what I do today if Lynn hadn't encouraged me to do it,” wrote Denver-based busking poet Abi Mott on her Facebook page Oct. 11. “He believed in me and lent me a typewriter four years ago in San Francisco, and for that I owe him everything.”
Lynn Gentry / Facebook
Photo: Instagrammer @lonelyboysmovie
Gentry has written numerous new poems as a busker, and has supported himself and his family with the work. But times are changing. News hit Facebook last week that Gentry will be retiring from writing street poems, but not without first reaching for an ambitious goal. Here’s the challenge that Gentry is undertaking: He will write 700 new poems in the span of a mere seven days.
We caught up with Gentry on his webpage and chatted to find out why he was giving up busking poems. According to the Facebook event page that announced his retirement and goal, Gentry plans to only work public spaces on rare occasions from now on. He instead plans to pursue publishing, and other projects and collaborations that cannot yet be released to the public.
Tameca L Coleman: Why are you giving it up?
Lynn Gentry: I don't think of it as giving up, but more so moving on to other things. When your living comes from busking poetry on the street, to know that you can pay your bills, you have to write around eight hours a day, everyday. I had to make a choice between poetry and everything else, and knowing I have a family and other ambitions, I could not pick continuing to busk poetry.
TLC: Will this also make more time for your music? Publishing?
LG: Yes. What many don't understand is that while writing out all the time, I don't really have time to publish. I don't even have time to edit. If I brought the material out with me, there would be constant interruptions from patrons, who in that setting, are my real responsibility.
TLC: How do people participate in your event?
LG: First, join the Facebook event. You can submit the subject of your choice using the patron request on lynngentry.com, and I will write the poem. I am also available during this event around the clock via live chat to talk with patrons about their subjects. (The discussion is an aspect of writing that was mutually enjoyable while busking). Your poem will then be created, posted on the event page, and mailed to you at the close of the event. Your request will become a part of this live piece and a part of the collection of my last works as a poetry busker.
TLC: How did you become a busking poet? Were you inspired by anyone in particular?
LG: I started busking poetry after seeing Jacqueline Suskin at Oregon Country Fair in 2009. As soon as I got back to the city, I borrowed $31 from my sister and a typewriter from my ex-girlfriend's roommate and started writing; the first two days in Berkeley, then I settled on Haight and Ashbury for five years.
TLC: And how did you get started writing poetry?
LG: I started writing poetry in the 6th grade; it was a class assignment. I wrote two poems for the assignment. The first poem was about a feather, poking fun at how I thought all poets were fluffy people, and how the feather goes where the wind blows. The second was called “The Champion.” It was about a boxer coming to the decision to retire and the thought that not taking a blow took more bravery than to keep fighting.
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There is not much time left to take part in Lynn Gentry’s 700 poems in seven days challenge, as the event ends Wednesday, Oct. 14. To participate, patrons should join the Facebook event and then head over to Gentry’s websitewhere they can request a poem based on the subject of their choice. Patrons choose what they’d like to donate in exchange for the poem. Then, a copy of the poem will be posted on the event page, and the original mailed to their address at the close of the event.
"But never are we independent nor individuals": Here is a short film which follows Lynn Gentry a talented musician and poet living in Brooklyn who makes his living busking poetry.
Lara-Ann de Wet / Vimeo
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