Interview with Sennah Yee
Sennah Yee
Sennah Yee is from Toronto, where she writes poetry, prose, and film criticism. She is the author of the poetry collection How Do I Look? (Metatron Press) and the children’s book My Day With Gong Gong (Annick Press). She is the co-founder and managing editor of In The Mood Magazine, a pop culture journal. Find her at www.sennahyee.com.
Manahil: This is Canthius’ s tenth issue, and the first for which we have a guest editor, Sanna Wani. Whether you’ve been a long-time reader of Canthius or are just getting introduced us, how did you come to decide what pieces you wanted to share with the magazine?
Sennah: I was going through a little writing drought, when the opportunity came up to submit to Canthius. I was so grateful — not only is a deadline my best motivation for writing, but there are so many Canthius authors and works I love, and getting to submit work to Sanna was an honour!
I knew I wanted to share some movie poems, and ones that were a little different from my usual style — particularly my Jackass poem. I was excited to play with a different voice and energy, something a bit more cheeky!
Manahil: I find writing often emerges from a conversation. What conversation is happening in your work?
Sennah: Most of my work is a conversation between myself and pop culture, and the ripple effects we have on each other. Sometimes it’s straightforward, like in my A.I.: Artificial Intelligence poem in this issue, where I’m processing the film’s plot and imagery, how it made me feel, and what I think is the spirit or essence of the film.
Other times it’s more nebulous, where I’m using the film as a lily pad to jump off of, and plunge into the waters of something else, like my Jackass poem! For that one, I wanted to have an inner monologue about things I’m often scared or hesitant to do — things far tamer than actual Jackass stunts haha.
Manahil: I absolutely love the way you write film into poetry in expressive and fun ways. How do you land on the specific instances or emotions in films to write about in your poems?
Sennah: Thank you so much! I find those specific instances and emotions usually land on me, rather than the other way around. It can be a single line, a still frame, a micro-expression — something that jumps out and sticks with me long after the movie is over. I like to put small, fleeting things under a microscope and make them large, lasting.
Manahil: What is something you’re working on that you’d like to share!
Sennah: I’m currently looking for a home for my first novella, a soft sci-fi about doubles and grief. I’m giddy to share it with the world! I’m also working on the upcoming horror-themed issue of In The Mood Magazine, a pop culture journal that I run with my friends.
Manahil: In closing, what is a poem, story, painting, chapbook, or book you would like to recommend others read?
Sennah: Right now I’m reading and loving We Do This ‘Til We Free Us by Mariame Kaba! Also, this poem by Claudia Rankine that Sanna once emailed to me. Whewww!