Local artist profile: Myron Lysenko

THIS week we chat with local poet Myron Lysenko, whose career has seen him publish seven books (and counting) and take in exotic locations including Pentridge Prison, Melbourne Zoo and Vancouver before finding himself in Central Victoria!

What motivated you to take up poetry?

I was an avid reader and my ambition was to get at least one (poetry) book published.

My life changed when I ran away from home and met Kevin Brophy in a coffee shop, who told me he wanted to be a poet – we quickly became friends, read each other’s work and encouraged each other.

In my 20s I wrote plotless stories, a silly novella, embarrassing poetry and lyrics for novelty songs with titles such as Helen Give Me Back My Watermelon.

At last at the age of 29 I had my first poem published and that’s when I started to feel like a real writer, rather than a dreamer.

How would you describe your poetry style?

I’ve written in many different poetic styles including narrative poems, villanelles, pantoums, epigrams and haiku.

Each of these forms require a different discipline, but generally my poetry is known for blending traditional forms with contemporary, often humorous performative styles.

Which other poets inspire you?

Kevin Brophy is the main one – he’s a much better writer than I am and I love learning from the many books he’s published.

He not only encouraged my early work, he also gently criticised it by pointing out the strengths and weaknesses in it.

Before I met Kevin I was a writer, but after he critiqued me I became a re-writer and that’s when my work began to improve.

What are some fond memories you have from your poetry journey so far?

Working with Kevin at Pentridge Prison workshopping stories and poetry with the inmates, finding an agent in Nexus Arts in 1989 (and) becoming the first poet-in-residence at Melbourne Zoo.

(Also), touring Vancouver in Canada for two weeks as a guest poet in schools and universities, having my first book of poetry published in 1988 (and) organising haiku walks in scenic places around Central Victoria since 2011. Watching my creative writing students improve and publish their writings, with several of them winning literary awards.

How can people check out your work online?

YouTube has over 50 live performance videos – https://www.youtube.com/@MyronLysenko/videos

Also, type “Myron Lysenko poems” into a search engine and you’ll find plenty of my poetry.

Do you have any performances coming up? Are you working on anything right now?

Radius Art Gallery in Hepburn on 24 January, Chamber Poets #119 (Hepburn) on 14 February, (and) the Festival of Surrealisms in South Melbourne on 15 March.

This year I’m working on finishing my eighth book of poetry about the Chornobyl Nuclear Accident of 1986 and my ninth book about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

What would you say to young regional aspiring poets who are thinking of making a go of it?

Read as many poetry books as you can and be inspired by the poets or poems you love the most.

Attend poetry gatherings in the region where you live and get the courage to get up and read your own poetry.

Attend poetry workshops, make friends with other poets, submit your poetry to literary journals (and) start working on your first book.

(Most of all) keep writing despite all the rejections, pitfalls and setbacks, celebrate all your little achievements until you achieve something bigger and enjoy being a poet in an unpoetic world.