Today, we dive into the stories behind the verses, the wounds that shaped June Twilis, and the quiet truths that make this book not just a collection of poems, but a journey through what it means to be human.
What is the inspiration of Sunset Chaser?
Sunset Chaser is a compilation of things I’ve written over the years. While they’re not always related to each other directly, I found some common themes such as love, adventure, and water… which inspired me to structure it in its current format. The chapters are arranged to unfold like a typical romantic relationship that goes through phases of exploration, excitement, and unfortunately in this case, destruction.
How long did you take to write and finish this book? Which phase of life were you in?
Most of it was written when I was 18-23 years old. It was an eventful period of my life when I was moving around and exploring a lot, and writing was a lifesaving outlet for me to make sense of the world and keep myself sane. In the wise words of John Green: “That’s the thing about pain – it demands to be felt”. I’d go one further and say that these feelings demand to be expressed.
“That’s the thing about pain – it demands to be felt”
What do you think about modern poetry?
Poetry is poetry, regardless of when it was written. I dislike poetry snobs who think one form is better than another, and try to gatekeep and define what poetry is. Some modern poets like Lang Leav and Rupi Kaur are criticized for being too simplistic, but I think they do a beautiful job of making poetry accessible and relatable. While I also enjoy the occasional Dickinson or Keats, the modern world floods our brains with such a deluge of words every day… and there is something to be said of short and sweet poems which capture a fleeting mood or idea effectively. That is something I strive for in my pieces as well.
Do you believe love survives better in fiction than it does in reality? Or is fiction the only place it truly lives?
Not really… fiction is based in reality – or is it the other way around? I think it’s both – one has to always inform the other, and it goes both ways. We are what we read, and we find glimpses of ourselves and the world around us in the things we read. More idealistic versions of love – the perfect kind with no flaws – might stand a better chance of surviving in fiction than reality… but is that really love?
When writing about love in imaginary worlds, do you find yourself protecting the characters from heartbreak—or letting them feel what you couldn’t?
A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for. Feelings demand to be felt, and will come out one way or another. Suppressed feelings will eventually resurface, or manifest in behaviors that you are not even conscious of. So no – I don’t protect characters (or myself) from feeling everything.
I don’t protect characters (or myself) from feeling everything.
Which part of you had to be destroyed—or reborn—for this book to exist the way it does?
I wouldn’t say destroyed or reborn, but there is certainly a catharsis in the process of putting something into words. This catharsis allows you to let go and make space for something new – so perhaps that is a small kind of rebirth.
What kind of love do you think your younger self was secretly writing toward—even before you had the words for it?
Most of these were written as I was going through some kind of romantic situation or relationship, and were a great way for me to organize my feelings and thoughts. I have been blessed to have experienced mostly healthy forms of romantic love, which were then expressed in my writings – so the gap between ideal and reality was not too far. I think a nice kind of love is one in which you feel safe but also like you’re on an adventure.
Did you write any of these pieces to stay connected to someone you’ve already lost—or someone who never really existed?
Yes and yes. I write to mourn something lost. I write to treasure a fleeting feeling that is unfolding. I write to let go of the past and make room for something new. Some people will definitely know that a poem is about them specifically, and I hope that brings them some joy, even if bittersweet. And yes, sometimes I do write about someone who never really existed – the words simply come from divine inspiration.
What wound does this book touch over and over, not to heal—but to remember?
Wow this is an intense question. I don’t think I have a wound that does not heal, and I don’t think I would want to remember such a wound over and over anyway. I do think that it’s important to come to terms with and embrace sadness as an intrinsic and unavoidable part of life. Not to wallow in it unproductively, but to have it as part of a rich tapestry of feelings. In most cases, time does heal all – but if not – therapy should be normalized, and everyone can get something out of it.
…embrace sadness as an intrinsic and unavoidable part of life.
If your book had no cover, no title, and no name—what feeling would you hope someone still walks away with after reading it?
This is an interesting question. I hope someone would have felt the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with romantic trials and tribulations. I hope my words help you remember that we’re all human and we all share this crazy but also wonderful and glorious experience of being human. I always try to end things on a slightly more hopeful note. You know, after the rain comes the rainbow and all that. Cringe and cliche but true – and really, the only way you can continue moving forward. Life is short, feel all the feelings, but don’t let it keep you down forever.
Stay tuned to June Twilis’ debut, Sunset Chaser in all stores nationwide in October.
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