While everyone waits for the metaverse to emerge and shift the fabric of our culture, many are wondering how the metaverse will change their favorite passions and past times. The metaverse will be a fusion of virtual reality and blockchain technology, meaning that when it comes to the art and literary world, the possibilities are endless. But there’s one company known as The Poetry Cove that is already using technology to re-envision the group poetry experience.
The Poetry Cove is a poetry community that strives to be the home of poets across the globe. The organization was formed in 2021, founded by poet and actor Adam Gary. The Poetry Cove serves as an accessible, interactive platform where anyone looking to dive into the world of poetry can get involved. They aim to become what Deviantart is the artist community, but for the poetry community.
But what caught my attention about The Poetry Cove right away, was when I learned that they were using Second Life to hold virtual poetry readings. They call it their Virtual Cafe. Being someone who studied information technology and graduated in 2009, I was very familiar with the Second Life virtual platform that allows users to create an avatar and explore user-created environments. And as we move closer to the metaverse concept that hopes to make virtual living the norm, it was interesting to learn that Adam Gary was already using these concepts to add a new dimension to the world of poetry.
I decided to send over some questions for Adam Gary so I could learn more about his thought process behind the Virtual Café. Below is the results of what we discussed.
As a platform I trust Second Life much more than certain other companies
Adam Gary
Gary Swaby: What was it that inspired you to form The Poetry Cove?
Adam Gary: When I came to writing poetry it was because I discovered Jim Morrison had been into the art form. I had always liked the thought of being a poet myself, and had written a poem for an ex-partner in college but never considered it again after that – though it felt really natural and freeing to have expressed myself through the art.
Finding out that poetry was good enough for the Lizard King, however, gave me permission to explore again. As someone who has never been good with studying in a classroom, I felt really lost and didn’t know where to start. Eventually having learned poetry my own way, I started making YouTube videos to impart what I had picked up to help others like me. As my audience grew and I got to know them better through the comments they were leaving, I realised there were so many others out there desperate to get into poetry, but didn’t know where to start; or lacked the confidence to apply to courses, etc. I founded The Poetry Cove last February to act as a home for those poets. Somewhere they can find answers, and all under one banner.
Gary Swaby: What inspired you to create the Virtual Café?
Adam Gary: The Café came about because my long-distance partner and I were trying to think of ways we could make the distance feel smaller. Second Life came to mind and once we were both in this virtual world, I realised what a great opportunity it was. We were already building a fantastic community on our website, why not give them the opportunity to interact ‘face-to-face’ or ‘avatar-to-avatar’ rather. It also gave us the opportunity to host events such as our weekly open mic nights!
I had already been a member of Second Life for a long time, although I hadn’t been in-world for many years. It was a big shock to see how it had developed. Personally, as a platform I trust Second Life much more than certain other companies… I knew the capabilities and the platform well, and had already forged friendships in the virtual world, and specifically the arts community there, years prior. It was great to see people from the past still logging in and having the opportunity to catch up with them.
Gary Swaby: Are you already thinking of ways to expand the Virtual Café experience once the idea of the Metaverse takes over the internet?
Adam Gary: Absolutely, as well as the Café we now have a three-storey exhibition centre and a garden for quiet reflection or to do a bit of writing if people wish. We’re also looking at putting on events where people can come and write poems. Like a write-in, or a word dash where poets sit in and write 500 words of poetry within a set time frame.
A peer of mine known as Wolfgang Glinka in-world owns a space called the Glinka Gallery, where he puts on dance and light shows accompanied by his poetry. His last show ‘Mind the Gap’ was very inspiring and something I would like to work closely with him to replicate at the Cove. Also, to flip things on its head, poets from the Second Life community are now becoming part of the Cove in real life by submitting their work to our new poetry magazine, launching on 22nd February! It’s great, the two worlds are mixing and lines are being blurred!
Gary Swaby: What was the first moment when you had the realization that this (the Virtual Café) is really working?
Adam Gary: Our first night was standing room only! The poetry community on Second Life welcomed us with open arms and quickly became “Covers” and friends themselves. I can’t thank them enough for how warm and generous they have been towards us. Then steadily members from our website started popping up too! More and more people got involved and we were receiving more and more messages about how our open mics were helping poets find their voices and giving people confidence. It really has been a wonderful time.
Gary Swaby: When it comes to expression, do you think the Second Life experience enhances poetry reading in any way?
Adam Gary: I think being behind a screen helps with nerves and makes the experience of performing easier for those who may not be used to it. If you want to call that enhancing the experience, at least for the reader. I think as an audience member it certainly refines the experience. With nothing to distract you, you can just close your eyes and focus on the voice coming through your speakers —from who knows where in the world – we have members in 61 countries.
It can be a really moving experience when you just take in the voice, the poem, whilst keeping in mind that you’re listening to someone you’ve never met before who’s potentially thousands of miles away. It’s really special.
Gary Swaby: The Poetry Cove also has an academy, which prides itself on teaching people to write great poetry. What are some methods you use to teach people poetry?
Adam Gary: The main thing for me is working practically. As I said, sitting in a classroom listening to someone telling me about something for an hour didn’t work for me. When I teach my Saturday School classes, I spend just 10 minutes explaining the rules and history of whichever form we are learning. The remaining 50 minutes is actually writing and trying out the new form.
Another huge part of my classes and even my YouTube videos is energy. Bringing fun, high energy that keeps people engaged and entertained brings the best results in my opinion. Many people instantly brush off poetry as a boring subject; if I can make someone laugh or keep them entertained whilst talking about poetry then hopefully it goes a long way in changing that person’s perspective on the subject.
Gary Swaby: In your opinion, do you think the art of poetry has changed in modern times?
Adam Gary: I think it comes down to how you want to align yourself and where your tastes lie, and what you choose to read. Personally speaking, poetry has become more accessible. It’s more direct and in your face. All art is subjective and whether or not you like what I call “pop poetry”, it has certainly passed the fad stage and is here to stay in my opinion, which will upset some I’m sure.
I myself played around with a new poetry form that I named the Simplex Metre, after Instapoetry (poems posted to Instagram) became such a big thing. I tried to think about how you can take the work that is so common on the platform, and turn it into a formed piece. What represents the 21st century? The word that kept cropping up when thinking about our culture was “instant”. I explain more about Simplex Metres in my collection The Early Hours, but I definitely think that modern times, short attention spans, and being able to access things so quickly has influenced what we are seeing in our poetry collections these days.
All art is subjective and whether or not you like what I call “pop poetry”, it has certainly passed the fad stage and is here to stay
Adam Gary
Below is a list of links to follow if you’d like to get involved with The Poetry Cove platform. Also, be sure to check out Adam Gary’s collection, The Early Hours to learn more about his Simplex Metre form of poetry.
The Early Hours by Adam Gary – Buy on Amazon UK / Buy on Amazon US
The Poetry Cove
Virtual Cafe Discord Community YouTube Channel