Emily Linstrom is an American writer & artist living in Italy. Her work has been featured in a number of publications including Three Rooms Press, Nailed Magazine, A Women’s Thing, The Continental Review, The Wisdom Daily, Literary Orphans, and Yes Poetry, as October's featured poet. She was the first prize recipient of Pulp Literature Press's 2015 The Raven short story contest, and is a regular contributor for Quail Bell Magazine and The Outsider. You can view her work at www.emilylinstrom.com and follow her adventures on Instagram at betterlatethan_em
Emily's poem "Troppi Petali" will appear in the Spring 2018 issue of Carve. Preorder or subscribe by Sunday, April 1, for special savings and discounts.
Please tell us a little bit about what spurred you to write “Troppi Petali.”
The Graces always struck me as ultimate #squadgoals, a representation of all these ideal feminine qualities in one mobilized unit. When I finally saw Botticelli’s Primavera up close at the Uffizi in Florence, it occurred to me that these virtues were more or less intended to serve others—the ‘maestro’ or husband or some collective impetus. I remember imagining them stepping out of that allegory of fertility (and its many implications) and finally enjoying themselves as individuals.
The allusion and image of Botticelli's Graces stepping out to stroll the Firenze perfectly evokes the spirit of this poem. How often does artwork enter the landscape of your poems?
History, art, and folklore definitely make up the backdrop of most of my writing. I can’t say anything is predetermined, though. Memories and emotions can be sparked by so many things—a song, a piece of art, another poem. It’s hard to predict what will be the inspirational jump-off point.
What writing projects are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a novella for a designated publisher, with a lot of articles and essays and short stories piling up in between. Basically working on a lot, but currently completing very little…I’m the tortoise of writers.