Hello Mervyn, and thanks for sharing your time with us. When did you first begin performing poetry?
 
My first performance was for a Mr. and Miss Black Student Association Pageant at my University. I needed a talent and had to search.  I wrote a poem called "Born Black, Die Black", which went over well when I recited and eventually got published at the university and several other places there after.  I didn't perform for about another 6 years after that in Barnes and Nobles in Pensacola FL and Mobile AL.  I also found several small readings in those areas.  Soon after finding the New Orleans scene and poetry collectives like Pozzaz that helped me come a long with spoken word which deferred from written word.
 
How would you describe your style of writing?
 
My style started with traditional form poetry. I desired to understand different writing style and experimented with them. I felt my gift was to write with different voices.  To touch spirits by letting them walk through other's stories.  This is shown in my newest book collection "Through Their Eyez".  I tend to put a different twist to subject matter that would seem simple.  Though bottom line with my writing I limit myself to how I write.
 
You are in the military correct?
Yes, the Air Force for 13 years.
 
What opportunities has being in the military provided for you as a performer?
 
It has allowed me to bring poetry to parts of the world. I would of never imagine.  On a military trip to Slovakia, I wrote lyrics for a couple of the local bands there.  I tend to always seek out where I am sent to if I can find venues or create my own event at that
location. 
 
I have also done an assortment of retirement ceremonies, promotions, Juneteenth, Martin Luther King and Black History Month events through events in the
military.
 
Has being in the military had an affect on the voice you use in your writing?
 
It has allowed me see things misunderstood through the media but it does set limitations to some of my writings due to the things I have seen.  My voice in writing is still real to my heart.
 
You've performed in the U.S. and abroad. What differences have you noticed amongst the audiences as far as how they receive spoken word performers?
 
It is always great, even for people that don't completely understand me they love the energy.  From Paris to Holland, and Germany there is so much love. Though when I am a total stranger people are distance until they after I perform and then the questions start coming. Performing poetry in English works because it is so international but does finds its barriers in the translation.  Some times you can't really judge between Germany, England, America, Holland and France.  It is basically the kind of events whether a basic reading, spoken word event, show case, or poetry slam determines the type of audience to me, but even these different events are unique to their locations.
 
You hosted a spoken word show while you were in Saudi Arabia. What was the response/participation like?
 
In Saudi Arabia it was on a remote military installation and people were away from their families. This was like a reading to heal the distance with love ones or to find a voice in the isolation.  The reading started with 3 people and grew to at least 60 plus within 3 months.  It continued for 3 years after I left until that base closed down and moved to Quatar. That was a good feeling to know.
 
You've also held several poetry workshops, a couple in which you worked with teens. What kinds of things did you do to encourage teens to pursue writing/poetry?
 
When I first started the teen workshops I showed several videos from poetry slams in the states.  It was good inspiration to get interest then I bridge their lives to poetry.  We spoke on levels of experience and the type of writing from someone just writing their emotions on paper to understanding the depth of how your experience could heal another person.  I used CDs from spoken word artists and looked deep into who they liked in hip hop to see the messages they were receiving.  We went into the differences between slam poetry verses spoken word and bringing objects to life through words.  It was a great growing experience. 
 
You've released two CD's and two books of poetry. What steps did you take in having your CD's recorded and publishing your books?
 

With the CDs I purchase the programs and recording equipment and created my own studio.  Living overseas between Germany and England in the past 5-6 years you find ways to accomplish your goals.  All the tracks from both CDs I laid out and created, from the beats to bass lines.
 
The books took a little more time because once you come up with a concept then you lay it out.  Make your basic edits.  Find an editor or two to look over your material.  Come up with a concept for the cover which is very important for it's appeal and how it visualizes the book concept.  Then you get your copy rights through the Library of Congress.  Eventually find a publisher that will either take your material and that you can trust.  Even companies that help you self publish need to be looked at in detail for what they provide for you for what expense.  I stayed with the same publisher for the second book because the way they took care of me.  The second book reflects how they have grown with the type of professional product they produce.  They did the formatting, binding and coordination with Amazon and Alibris plus several international book fairs.

Was the self-publishing process difficult?
 
Once you know your resources it gets easier but the battle is finding the resources and setting up time lines. You will realize outside personnel don't attack the book as you would and sometimes life struggle just get in the way. It can be done if you see it through.  Book 2 was definitely easier than book 1.
 
What do you believe is the most misunderstood perception of being a poet?
 
The appearance.  People expect us to look a certain way.  To think we can't be everyday people.  That all of us write on love which is my least written subject matter.  You don't have to be dead to make money from it but it is not easy making a living from poetry.  It does take hard work and staying focused.
 
What has been the most rewarding thing your writing has provided for you?
 
The lives where my words have made a difference.  Even my stage name "Deep Cobra", to me symbolizes the depth of my words to be like venom not for death but to bring light to subject matter that you will not look at the same way in life.  I pray enough to make a change. 
 
Working with children is probably the greatest reward in showing them the power of words through their own mind using it as a foundation for life.

 

Click here to view Mervyn's Poetry

For  more poetry and information on Mervyn and purchase information, visit him at MervynSeivwright.com

BIO

International poet, Mervyn R. Seivwright (Deep Cobra),is an English born Jamaican. Born in Dulwich, a suburb of London, England in 1970, Mervyn Richard Seivwright’s, childhood started in Ipswich, Suffolk. He is the product of 2 Jamaican families that moved to England in the sixties. He has been writing for the pass 18 years, performing poetry the last 9 years across the East Coast, South-Eastern regions of the United States, England, France, Slovakia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Germany. He has been currently residing in England after living in Germany for over 4 years hosting weekly and monthly poetry venues and This is first CD, "Shedding My Skin", which has sold over 300 CDs out of his back pack between France, Holland, and Germany. It brings across persuasive thoughts, spirituality, joy, and just life as many feel it. Mervyn also has a book titled, "Trials Of A Stranger", available on Booksurge.com and Amazon.com.

He has opened for Def Jam's Comedian Bruce Bruce in Eglin Florida. Feature artist to the Paris Connection, an ethnic art collective that holds dinner functions in Paris France. First place at Cafe Kraaij & Balder Poetry Slam in Eindhoven Netherlands allowing him to finish in the top 4 at the Netherlands national level for Eindhoven. Finished in top 5 in the German American Institute Germany National Invitational Slam in Heidelburg Germany.  In England he has featured in Peterborough, and featured for Gods and Goddesses Promotions in Cambrigde. In London he has featured for Phenzology.com Production's Verbalized Minds 1st Anniversary, afropick.co.uk Soul Food's 5th Anniversary at the Bloomsbury Theatre, V.O.I.C.E. in Brixton, Nii Parks's Aroma Poetry, Something To Die For Productions, Brockwell's Stage Fright, and Mic Club at Plan-B. Now out his newest collection "Through Their Eyez"