We’ve come across another old soul poet, with creative depths that are beyond remarkable. These are the works of Bob Larkin Robertos. A writer with a mysterious edge, Bob unlocks the windows to the soul. A shadow with sunlight ready to burst out, he is quiet on the poetry scene, yet his works leave imprints that will last a lifetime.
A lover of the old world, Bob’s poetry is a display of epic themes, battling the good and evil of life. His pieces are wondrous escapisms into places filled with heroes and honor. Bob is a fire to be fueled with nothing but honesty and heart.
Emotionally charged, he unleashes the world through his lyrical mind. A visionary of epic character, Bob’s melodic tones and imagery will calm your spirit.
Acoustic Ink is honored to feature this remarkable artist.
Bob’s interview with our team:
Name: Bob Larkin Robertos
Location: Ware
Q: How many hours a day do you write?
I write in bursts mainly, usually creating two or three full length poems a month at a specific location or after a significant event. Day to day writing is mainly short works and philosophical lines posted on FB or what I think of on the move.
Q: Do you have any writing superstitions, or quirks?
Quirks, ha, almost everything I write has a negative edge, partly to do with my reason for writing poetry. Superstitions, never look too deep into where the creativity is coming from, some things should remain a mystery.
Q: How do you deal with personal doubters?
I haven’t been present on the scene long, and my work isn’t very well known, so I have not yet encountered much negative feedback or doubters. But if I do encounter them, I reason that I like it and it fits my style, so as long as I’m not offending, who cares!
Q: When you were growing up, what made you want to become a writer?
I was bullied, never quite ran in the inside track and seemed to have a natural creativity (unrefined but ever present!), and as I’ve grown up my creativity has been a major part of how I deal with negative emotions or situations, poetry playing a big part.
Q: At what point did you decide to take writing seriously?
I just drifted into it over time, building my collection, and have tried to keep that sense of escapism, but like any outlet for my emotions and energy, I am a perfectionist and always take it seriously, especially if it is being posted for public viewing.
Q: Describe a perfect setting where you can get writing done.
Anywhere but home, and mainly in a quiet pub or hotel with something to eat and a cool drink, slightly clichéd I admit but it’s part of how I relax from the pressures of work and home. Some nice jazz, blues or soothing music adds the atmosphere.
Q: Where do you look for inspiration?
My inspiration is from two places, a love of old world themes such a heroes, assassins and honor, the idea of epic battles between good and evil represented in the form of a hero fighting demons or evil hordes. Emotions and the events that bring out the strongest sentiments from within me, being able to hide names and events in stylized wording.
Q: What kind of books did you read when you were growing up, if any?
I’ve read a few classic Roald Dahl’, ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Famous Five’ and then after a drought I couldn’t get enough of Tom Clancy novels. More recently, I read more magazines, newspapers and the odd short story to keep up to date with politics, technology and world events.
Q. What do you think is the biggest problem writer’s face today?
We’re at a point where original ideas, themes and concepts are rare, and for a writer now, unlike the first authors of vampire stories, spy thrillers or sci-fi scripts etc, to make a work stand out you have to almost re-write genres or find new perspectives from which to access the story and hook readers.
Q: Are you a traditional type of writer (paper and pencil) or do you use your computer to write?
I do the first draft with pencil at an external location, then type up and refine it on the computer at home, so I have a copy on file.
Q: What’s your favorite part of writing?
When you get the initial buzz of an idea, and the following frenzy of putting your idea down on paper as quickly as possible so you don’t forget anything, and in close second is getting a response from other writers.
Q: Who would you consider to be your top three favorite writers?
Roald Dahl: Insanity, fun and great story
Tom Clancy: Great action, great pace
Spike Milligan: Just plain genius
Poets – new and old – so many – I couldn’t choose…
Although I may not be the most well read, I have absorbed a lot of influences over the years and always had a love of poetry.
Q: Got any advice for young writers?
Start small and aim low, you may be the bestselling author one day but even the greatest had to start somewhere and don’t worry about anybody who slams your work, they are not worth your time, but listen to those willing to advise and help you as they will help you to access new skills and techniques.
Q: When not writing, how do you recharge your creative batteries?
I like to shut my brain down and get immersed in something like a film, TV series or game that lets my creative drives cool down, but also stimulates and inspires me for future projects.
Q: How do you get past all the frustrations that come with trying to be a successful writer? I’m a successful writer?! Frustrations are the kind of negative influences that feed my creativity.
Q: What do you do when you have several book/piece ideas?
At the moment I have tons of poems, ideas and projects stored away, ready to do something with, and when the opportunity presents, I make sure they’re ready for action, as you never know when fate will strike.
Q: Do you have an agent representing you/your work to publishers?
Not currently, but something I will eventually get round to.
Q: Have you ever been published/self-published?
Not outside of Social Media.
Q: What genre(s) describes your work?
In my personal opinion I would say ‘Dark’ or ‘Emotional’ poetry, but as yet I have not had any classical or official training so couldn’t say with 100% sureness, and I would like to think anyone who reads my work should be allowed to form their own judgment.
Q. What kind of music do you favor? Does it reflect in your writing?
My taste in music is as varied as it is mixed, with jazz being the most prominent of genres, blues a close second, with chill out and classical music high up there. The one thing most of my music has in common is emotionally charged voices and performances, or depressing lyrics.
Q: Do you write under a pseudonym? If so, what is the story behind it?
Yes! Bob came about when I needed a safe place to vent my emotions, primarily in poetry form, and is an opportunity to have some fun, write depressive poetry and live out a few of my dreams, without the pressures or expectations of everyday life to consider or hold me back, and as long as the laws of common decency are upheld, Bob’s a free agent.
Q: What/who motivates you to write?
I am motivated by life, and all the road blocks, chaos and carnage it seems to throw at me, and the ability to get my own back with words.
Q: Do you follow a writing system, or routine?
I started writing in a standard verse style, the kind of format you learn in school!, but having taken a more personal interest and seeing others write in different styles and forms I have started to vary my technique, but still find myself retreating to the old classic verse format.
Q: What is your LEAST favorite part of being a writer? Having to follow up the initial buzz with some work, the reason there is such a gap between writing and typing up a piece.
Q: Do you have your work showcased on any website?
I post on FB at the moment, as it is where I first found a suitable outlet for my work, but I would like to post elsewhere at some point and the idea of publishing is something that appeals to me.
Q: What was your proudest moment as a writer?
Getting my first feedback on a poem, that I had written years before and was given positive feedback for, it made me want to continue writing and improving.
Q: How would you like to be remembered by those who read your work?
I would like to be remembered as someone whose words relate to their own situations and feelings and as a writer who has a great depth, then again to be remembered at all would be good enough!
Q: Share with us a fun fact about yourself.
I’m addicted to Lego (as a creative medium of course!) and yellow grabs my attention more than anything else, whether it is a bike or a simple teapot.
Q: What does the future hold for you as a writer?
Publishing my works and finding new outlets for my creative ventures
*Below you can enjoy a few selected pieces by this poet*
~
To Play the Fool
The role of saint is one I do not wish
Yet it is forced upon me as the halo fits
So I am consumed by others, their issues and joy
But what about my happiness and the times I cry
Shoved in my face the happiness I helped to care
Contrasting the deepening hole, into which I fell
In this place I find no light, just darkness and screams
So in shadows I am unable to hide the truths I wish not to see
When the world shows me it’s worse, teeth and claws unleashed
Then casts it all upon me in cruel recourse, no shred of remorse
How can I open up to others, this broken soul I am forced to keep
The judgment unkind, that I know others will unkindly show
Depression, sadness, loneliness, hollowness and shame
Once things I would have avoided with such distain
Now my constant companions on the declining road
To the bloody altar of life, my journeys new end
Cast me a saint
Cast me a sinner
Cast me a freak
Cast me your fool
Just make it quick
When you sacrifice my spirit
Cut my confidence
Bury my joy
To those that know not
What suffering I endure
~
Within the mind of a Fool
The night is young as I sit alone
The ice cool vodka, keeps my glass cold
My faith propped up on a barstool, already his second bottle gone
The trust I lost those years ago, no longer in a state to stand tall
‘Welcome sir, your face I know’ the barman says, as he pours
‘Are you a guest or passing through?’
He asks, as again my glass stands empty, ready to receive its fuel
‘We are in my mind, the only place I know’ I respond
‘And only my sanity, do I merely pass casually through’
In the crowd my demons grow
But here they are equals, as I let them know
As half man, half poison I make my feelings known
My depression in the corner, singing the blues
Melodic tones calming my soul
Half inebriated cupids descend on the room
My heart already too far lost, to respond to taunts so cruel
And when the night has passed, the bar stays closed
I will face my creditors, betrayers and many a fool
But though I may be broken and emotionally poor
In that bar I shall write the words my pain those fuel
~
My Desert night, for you I burn
My desert night, for you alone I burn
For your satin touch I yearn
Your skies are cold, your stars boldly stand
As into nightmares darkness, I make my turn
The sands so still, they look so calm
Yet hidden deep they move and shift
And swallow those who stay too long
As in my veins the desert begins to flow
And for your love, poison or cure
Its bite so warm its venom so cold, a soul so old
And as you were in youth, when time was still
Your beauty still radiant, forever burns
I will not sacrifice all, my heart given in vein
Like the foolish horde, whose time came before my own
Who have lost your love, into quicksand they descend
For I know how little you care, and would act so cruel
Your secret now revealed, I instead fight to be known,
My desert night for you I burn, your satin touch I yearn
As amongst the endless dunes, I battle and bleed
For the love you’ve held in darkened depths, I shall earn
~
Phantom’s call
I am a man for whom a soul means nothing
And a conscience even less
Replacing both a shadow of hell
Into which to pour poisonous hate
And in the night I shall with violence descend
With black poison on my blade
And the shadows hiding my strike
Invisibly moving in the absence of light
And when it ends, this torture called life
At the fiery gates of hell I shall stand
Where passed to me shall be a burning dagger
For even demons cannot break a soul so black
With dagger in hand, poised to strike
I shall curse the heart and soul of my enemies
With more hatred than I had in life
Free to track my prey by immortal flight
~
A Heroes Story
Upon waves of falling dead, felled by sword and bow
Immortality awaits the victor, should their life remain
And if we fall, may we meet our enemies upon fields of paradise
Or at hells gate, where we receive our glory, broken and spent
/<|>\
For in times of turmoil and flame, when all about us fails
We look for the heroes of destiny to save our fates
Whether they are born of good or evil, it matters not
Only that the mind is sharp and the body strong
/<|>\
Or from great voids have they risen, to face the fight
Ghosts of former comrades looking to set their soul a flight
Through acts of courage and sacrifice to buy back lives, lost to sin
Or is it vengeance that drives them further into hells embrace
/<|>\
But whatever the motive or cause, they raise a triumphant toast
To the king of the hour, however long his reign endures
But whomever they serve, the hero stands alone
A light screaming in the dark, vying to out-shine the horde
~
The Storm of the Mind
Set apart are the souls that creativity has blessed
With abilities and ideas beyond mortal minds
And into the ages their contributions go, touching lives
Conjuring fantastical dreams from seemingly plain sights
Calm to the eye, and otherwise normal to outside gazes
Yet deep within their appearance, so still, the raging tempest
The only signs of an overactive mind with thoughts so hectic
The bloodshot eyes, where sleep is victim to the storm so endless
And out of such chaos and rage, contained within such minds
Visions of genius and beauty are gifted to the enlightened world
Processes of the creators very different from their works refined
The only critic of note and impact, living within the artist’s head
But on the flipside of genius, manufacturing such divine work
The obsession with perfection, and corruption of the mind
For even the most strong of wills, with custom defenses devised
Can be eroded by the elemental fury of the creative storm
