Finding the Extraordinary in Ordinary Moments
Some poets write to tell stories. Others write to preserve a feeling before it disappears.
In my recent conversation with poet Craig Roberts, I was reminded that poetry doesn’t have to shout to leave an impression. Sometimes its greatest strength lies in its ability to pause, notice, and tell the truth with remarkable simplicity.
Craig grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania, but it’s clear that the places he writes about aren’t limited to geography. His poems are rooted in everyday moments, the quiet observations many of us overlook until a poet points them out and says, Look. This matters.
Poetry Begins with Paying Attention
When I asked Craig what poetry means to him, his answer was beautifully uncomplicated.
“Putting words to your deepest feelings. Sometimes your truest feelings can be expressed with the fewest words.”
That philosophy seems to guide everything he writes.
Rather than chasing dramatic subjects, Craig finds inspiration in memories, lived experiences, and the simple act of slowing down enough to appreciate the present. In a world constantly pulling us toward yesterday’s regrets or tomorrow’s worries, his work gently encourages us to remain where life is actually happening right now.
Living in the Present
One recurring theme runs through Craig’s work:
Stop resurrecting the past. Stop rehearsing for the future. Live this moment.
It’s advice that feels especially relevant today.
His poems don’t ignore hardship, but they invite readers to find meaning within ordinary experiences. There’s a quiet optimism in his perspective—one that doesn’t feel forced or sentimental, but earned through observation and honesty.
A Writer Who Revises with Patience
Craig’s writing routine reflects the discipline behind seemingly effortless poetry.
He writes every morning, pushing himself to put words on the page daily—even when the results aren’t perfect.
As he joked during our conversation, “Most of it is crap, but it keeps me alert.”
That willingness to write without expecting perfection is something every poet can learn from.
When revising, he lets a poem rest for at least a day before returning with fresh eyes, asking simple but important questions:
- Is it clear?
- Does it express the feeling?
- Is it becoming too academic or too wordy?
It’s an approach rooted in clarity and emotional authenticity rather than ornament.
Shakespeare Still Has Something to Teach Us
Craig credits Shakespeare as one of his earliest inspirations and says that if he could claim any poem as his own, it would be Sonnet 29.
That admiration makes perfect sense.
Like Shakespeare, Craig believes that powerful emotions don’t require complicated language. The strongest poems often come from honesty delivered with precision.
More Than a Poet
Outside of writing, Craig is also a performer—an actor and self-described “hoofer true and true.”
That theatrical background comes through in his work. His poems possess a natural rhythm and an awareness of voice that feels meant to be heard aloud as much as read on the page.
Advice Every Poet Needs to Hear
Craig closed our interview with advice that every writer—new or experienced—could benefit from:
Keep writing, even when you don’t want to. Some of the best ideas come from free writing. Put pen to paper, get it out of your head, and above all, be honest with yourself. You’d be surprised how your truth can affect others.
Simple.
Honest.
Exactly the kind of wisdom that lingers long after the conversation ends.
Watch the Full Interview
If you enjoy hearing poets talk about craft, inspiration, revision, and the writing life, I encourage you to watch my full conversation with Craig Roberts.
Whether you’re a poet yourself or simply someone who appreciates thoughtful writing, you’ll come away inspired to notice the world a little more carefully—and perhaps write about it.
Leave a Reply