Dark Faith: Invocations Devotional–Katerina Stoykova-Klemer

KATERINA STOYKOVA-KLEMER is the author of three poetry books, most recently The Porcupine of Mind (Broadstone Books, 2012). Her first poetry book, the bilingual The Air around the Butterfly (Fakel Express, 2009), won the 2010 Pencho’s Oak award, given annually to recognize literary contribution to contemporary Bulgarian culture. She hosts Accents—a radio show for literature, art and culture on WRFL, 88.1 FM, Lexington. In January 2010, Katerina launched Accents Publishing. Katerina is acting in the lead role in the independent feature film Diamond Days, to be released in 2013.

Katerina is the author of the poem “The Most” that opens the anthology.

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Who are you?
I am tempted to quote Peter Pan, James Matthew Barrie’s beloved character, who answers this same question with the words: “I’m youth, I’m joy, I’m a little bird that has broken out of the egg.” Besides that, I am a Bulgarian-born poet and publisher living in Lexington, KY.

Tell us about your poem.
I am from Bulgaria, and Eastern European writers tend to write funny poems about sad things. I think it’s a survival technique of sorts. I think the poem speaks about us becoming better through the trials we need to face.

This poem came to me almost as is. It amused me, so I kept on writing. There are still things I don’t like about it and want to change, but so far I haven’t been able to change it for the better. So, this poem is still work in progress, until I can make “the most” of it.

How does your poem tie into the concept of faith?
This poem is about courage. When I saw it in the front of this wonderful book, it made complete sense to me that the source of courage is faith.

Every year, Maurice Broaddus throws a convention in honor of himself (Mo*Con). How do you feel about this fact?
I have no idea who Maurice Broaddus is, so I must either not be his target audience, or must not have been targeted too well. In any case, anyone who throws a convention in honor of himself/herself is either nuts or a genius. Hmmm… why not both.

Apex is pleased to present Katerina’s poem for your enjoyment!

The Most

Welcome
Last Resort

We meet at last
Plan Z

I’ve heard a lot about you
Worst Case Scenario

I look forward to
Working with you

When-all-else-fails

It’s going to be you and I now
Do you feel lucky to end up with me?

Hey, it’s okay

After the initial shock
Wears off

You too
Will try to make
The most of me

Join us tomorrow on the Apex Goodreads group to discuss “Subletting God’s Head” by Tom Piccirilli and watch for the next devotional post on Wednesday, January 9^th when Jay Lake tells us about his story, “The Cancer Catechism”.

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