Wild Whispers Poetry Magazine Issue 1:1 April, 2025
Interview
Tim the God Emperor Guinea Pig Parkin on Pseudonyms
Tim Parkin is a hairy mammal who loves poetry but is never going to appear in academic journals. After years of wanton self-destruction, without the excuse of poetic genius or fame, he drank a shitload several years ago and had a seizure. He remains mostly sober ever since. He has published in local zines and done a few chapbooks.
Why have an open mic pseudonym?
I guess, like a lot of performance, it’s about being someone else. The confident me. The persona is not the person. I do like the idea. When I played live in a band, I had one, which was essentially a fourteen-year-old boy joke—“Rex Merkin”—so that had to change.
Who/What inspired your pseudonym?
Many of the poets at Perth Poetry Club have had them. I had the pseudonym envy. “God Emperor” is from Frank Herbert’s Dune series. Also, as a tribute to my ego. Self-loathing frequently drives one into grandiosity.
“Guinea pig” because I love guinea pigs, and I am also a little high strung and easily startled.
Do guinea pigs like poetry?
Guinea pigs can’t read poetry, but they certainly like eating poetry books. However, they do communicate with calls, like birds. Visit moreguineapigs.com/guinea-pig-noises/
Which poets do you read when you need inspiration?
I do like Allen Ginsberg, when I am feeling wild, bardic, and crazy. Sylvia Plath or Anne Sexton when in despair. Apparently, Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath used to drink lots of martinis and talk about death. No doubt, if born now they would be goths. Is it sexist or objectifying that I had a picture of Sylvia Plath in a bikini on my wall? Probably. When I put up my pantheon of heroes again, I will put a more sensible picture of her on my wall – next to Oscar Wilde’s. I have always had a passion for Romantic poets, Keats in particular. He turns his sad life into a wonderful, dreamy melancholy. My mum introduced me to Dylan Thomas, who I love. He is one where there is a glorious rush of words that are often obscure.
If you weren’t a poet, what would you be doing?
I would probably still be sunk in despair and drinking myself to death or in the psych ward even more often. Art is the alchemy of pain, and making music and poetry helps me let go of some of my self-indulgent misery. I can be a bit of a drama queen.
Why have an open mic pseudonym?
I guess, like a lot of performance, it’s about being someone else. The confident me. The persona is not the person. I do like the idea. When I played live in a band, I had one, which was essentially a fourteen-year-old boy joke—“Rex Merkin”—so that had to change.
Who/What inspired your pseudonym?
Many of the poets at Perth Poetry Club have had them. I had the pseudonym envy. “God Emperor” is from Frank Herbert’s Dune series. Also, as a tribute to my ego. Self-loathing frequently drives one into grandiosity.
“Guinea pig” because I love guinea pigs, and I am also a little high strung and easily startled.
Do guinea pigs like poetry?
Guinea pigs can’t read poetry, but they certainly like eating poetry books. However, they do communicate with calls, like birds. Visit moreguineapigs.com/guinea-pig-noises/
Which poets do you read when you need inspiration?
I do like Allen Ginsberg, when I am feeling wild, bardic, and crazy. Sylvia Plath or Anne Sexton when in despair. Apparently, Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath used to drink lots of martinis and talk about death. No doubt, if born now they would be goths. Is it sexist or objectifying that I had a picture of Sylvia Plath in a bikini on my wall? Probably. When I put up my pantheon of heroes again, I will put a more sensible picture of her on my wall – next to Oscar Wilde’s. I have always had a passion for Romantic poets, Keats in particular. He turns his sad life into a wonderful, dreamy melancholy. My mum introduced me to Dylan Thomas, who I love. He is one where there is a glorious rush of words that are often obscure.
If you weren’t a poet, what would you be doing?
I would probably still be sunk in despair and drinking myself to death or in the psych ward even more often. Art is the alchemy of pain, and making music and poetry helps me let go of some of my self-indulgent misery. I can be a bit of a drama queen.
The original version of this magazine issue 'Shoreline' can be found here. We have now moved to a text based magazine.
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