Anda Marcu on ‘Quotidian (III)’

Anda Marcu (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist and writer living and working in London, Canada. Her work has been featured in galleries and publications internationally. Her projects include painting, mixed media, film photography, poetry and short stories. Instagram: @andamarcuart

Tell us about your introduction to poetry.

My entire life, I have been surrounded by beautiful people who loved to read. Growing up, I’ve always found a great companion in the vast, high-ceilinged and very inviting family library. I started playing with colours and with words very early. As a child, I never had a problem showing my paintings, but my written pieces stayed hidden. This tendency continued well into my adult years. It wasn’t until the summer of 2018 that I saw my poems in print for the first time.

What is a core theme of ‘Quotidian (III)’, and what called you to write about it?

The title gives it away: this poem explores the idea of the quotidian and is one of several pieces that approach this theme. I am consumed by a deep fascination with the day-to-day, the mundane, the commonplace. On the one hand, I cherish the familiar, the little moments, the personal routine, the house noises. On the other hand, I am terrified of the repetition, the cyclic nature of our existence (the mindless chores, the everyday brushings of teeth or chargings of phones, the never-ending errands, the heaps of laundry, the holidays that repeat on the same day year after year).

Tell us about the experience of writing this poem.

I wrote Quotidian (III) during hour 20 of the 2022 Poetry Marathon. The Poetry Marathon is a yearly event where participants write one poem every hour for twenty-four hours. It was between 4 and 5 am; the house was quiet. I remember staring at a pile of orange peels on the desk across the room from me. This poem just poured out - I wrote it in one go.

Where do you find inspiration?

I’ve always thought inspiration just hit me whenever she felt like it, but eventually, I realized that I was inviting her in through my thoughts and actions. For me, inspiration is everywhere.

You have an idea for a poem. What happens next?

I write stuff down right away, usually on random pieces of paper, post-its, receipts, or on my phone. I use whatever I can find close by.

Where do you find community in poetry?

For most of my life, it’s been me and the books in my personal library (or the public library and websites like Poetry Foundation or Poetry.com), along with family and friends. Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed the birth of many independent journals and publishing projects, and this fills me with so much joy. In the spring of 2021, I started The Purposeful Mayo Literary & Art Journal. Through it, I got to experience first-hand the power of community and friendship beyond my wildest dreams.

Do you have a favourite poet?

No. My favourite poet changes with my mood and my state of mind.

What advice would you give to someone new to poetry?

Read and write. Be courageous. Always have some sort of note-taking system handy.

Why do you think poetry is important?

Poetry feeds the soul and sharpens the mind. It allows for pausing, sophistication, and a deeper understanding of the world.

Where can people find you and your work?

I can be found at www.andamarcu.com and on Instagram @andamarcuart and @thepurposefulmayo.

You can read Anda Marcu’s poem here.