An Interview With… Mem Ferda

“HAPPYAGONY“ by Mem Ferda – BOOK OF THE MONTH

About the Book

HAPPYAGONY explores deeply personal moments and themes. What inspired you to turn these experiences into poetry and was it challenging to be so vulnerable on the page?

Ever since I was a child, writing poetry has consistently provided me with solace and immense happiness. It serves as a means for me to freely express my creativity and unleash my deepest emotions. Following my accident in 2023, as I embarked on the path to recovery, I made the decision to revisit the collection of poems I had crafted over the course of my life, and even crafted a handful of new ones. I handpicked fifty poems that beautifully encapsulate pivotal moments, thereby crafting a truly personal chronicle of my poetic voyage.

The themes in HAPPYAGONY span joy, tragedy, and resilience. Which poem in the collection resonates most deeply with you personally, and why?

All of them hold personal significance for me, each in their own way.

However, if I had to single out one that resonates with me on a deeper level, it would be AYDIN. The unimaginable and painful loss of my sister at such a young age still remains incomprehensible to me, even to this day.

How did you decide on the title HAPPYAGONY? What does it signify to you?

I decided to name it HAPPYAGONY because it perfectly captures the stark juxtaposition between the peaks and valleys of life. Moments of elation against moments of desperation.

The collection blends various poetic styles, from lyric sequences to narrative poems. How do you approach choosing the form for each piece?

The form for each piece is not predetermined. As I write, the piece itself will naturally lend itself to a specific form. I will then make amendments accordingly to ensure it fits into that particular style.

Death and loss are recurring themes in your work, yet you present them with a sense of reassurance. How did you navigate writing about such heavy subjects while maintaining this balance?

Death is inevitable; this acceptance allows me to approach the subject with some balance and to offer a sense of reassurance to convey that despite the inevitable sorrow that accompanies loss, we can find solace in the passing of time. The most challenging poems to write were about personal grief,  including the loss of my sister at a young age and later losing both of my parents within nine months of each other. Expressing these emotions through poetry was heart-wrenching. Poems about the COVID-19 pandemic were also difficult due to personal losses.

Writing Process

Do you have specific rituals, environments, or habits that help you write?

No rituals as such. Generally, I require complete silence when I write, which is always in my study during the early hours of the morning or very late at night. I try to write a couple of hours each day, but this isn’t always possible.

How do you approach your poetry? Is there a particular part of the process that you find especially rewarding or difficult?

The process is very natural and feels almost alive. It is very rewarding, as a poem idea will strike me, and I’ll quickly note the main theme and the intended direction it should take. Then, it seems to develop a will of its own, growing and taking on a personality. I then think about the poem’s structure and style trying to find the layout that will best showcase its essence.

Do you draw inspiration for your poetry from any particular writers, artists, or life experiences?
100% Life Experiences.

Personal Insights

You’ve had an incredible career as an actor and film producer. How do these creative pursuits influence your poetry, if at all?

In terms of my work as an actor and film producer, my poetry has always been quite separate. If there is any influence at all, it would be minimal.

Your upbringing and family history are central to many poems in HAPPYAGONY. How has your cultural background shaped your voice as a poet?

My Turkish Cypriot familial background undoubtedly played a role in shaping my early childhood. However, when it comes to my poetry, I must admit that this influence was rather minimal. You see, I was actually born in London, and my family was fully integrated into British society, embracing its way of life.

Looking Ahead

Do you plan to continue writing poetry? If so, can you share any details about what
might come next?

Currently, I am writing my memoirs and have already completed twenty-two chapters. There are still more to come. Additionally, I have many poems ready, which makes the release of HAPPYAGONY 2 a real possibility. 

What do you hope readers take away from HAPPYAGONY?

I aim to create a connection with readers, fostering a sense of shared humanity and triggering personal memories and experiences that resonate deeply with them from the struggles and triumphs, I’ve experienced. It also provides an opportunity for those acquainted with my film projects and on-screen performances to get to understand me on a much deeper level.

Quickfire

If you could have dinner with any poet, living or dead, who would it be and why?
It would be with the English poet and soldier Wilfred Owen. His graphic and vivid poems about modern warfare infused with honest emotions, helped advance poetry into the modernist era. A significant number of his poems expressed anti-war sentiments. I have an interest in war poetry, it would be a riveting conversation.

He tragically passed away at the tender age of 25.

What’s a book (besides your own!) that you think everyone should read?

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

Describe HAPPYAGONY in three words.

Personal. Painful. Uplifting.