Steward of Inspiration

Empowering Chats with Susan Burrell

Ep#276 - Steward of Inspiration, An Interview with Poet, James Anthony Ellis

Welcome everyone to Empowering Chats. In this episode we have a fun and inspirational conversation with poet, James Anthony Ellis. I entered into this chat with the curiosity of an enthusiastic young child opening a present. In this case the present is Jim’s latest book entitled, Breadcrumbs Volume 2: Poems and Prose Found Along the Sacred Path.

Jim is a writer, a documentarian and a poet.

I opened this chat by asking Jim, Why Poetry? You came from a journalism background so when or how did poetry become part of your self-expression?

He responded by saying that he had recently asked himself that same question. The first poem he remembers writing was at the age of 10. And it was entitled, “The Clock of My Life.” And it was Jim’s first experience of having a big discovery moment where he responded to what he had written with a resounding, “Whoa look at that!” And this is where the unveiling of something bigger than him came through. And he had no idea it was even there and yet he now knew he had access to it.

It turns out his grandfather was also a poet. Neither of his parents were writers but later in life, Jim discovered the small books of poetry written by his grandfather. And they made a big impression on him.

The inspiration is still pouring through Jim and he has gotten into a rhythm with it. Oftentimes it comes to him through a simple phrase spoken by him or someone else which then ignites a light or a flame within which needs to be expressed. Many times, within a 10 or 15 minute span Jim finds he is able to translate what he heard into a beautiful poem or into prose.

Jim says he feels like he is the steward of the message. As though the muse is speaking through him.

What is exciting for Jim is to share what comes through. Share the breadcrumbs so to speak.

Jim wrote volume 1 of Breadcrumbs in 2012. That volume was all about leaving behind clues and treasures that he had gathered in his life. Volume 2 is a journey he is asking his readers to take along with him. It starts at the most “perfect place,” the beginning of life, and then it takes you through the challenges, the joys, the sorrows, and the euphoric highs that occur in all of our lives. Then he guides you to come full circle. Back to that perfect place. He wrote it for other people so that they could follow and receive the breadcrumbs and find their way back home.

See what whispers into your heart when you crack open "Breadcrumbs, Volume 2." It’s a gift you can give yourself.

During our conversation, a couple of concepts arose. One was Jim catching the phrase “a life without cross outs” and commenting “that sounds like a poem that I can send to you later.” The other was Jim seeing me as “a gentle bird.” Both ideas were inspirations that ultimately and swiftly became full-length pieces of prose. I've included the links below to those beautiful pieces written by Jim.

The Gentle Bird:

FromTheHeadOfJim.logspot.com/2024/04/the-gentle-bird.html

A Life Without Cross Outs:

JimEllis.Substack.com/p/a-life-without-cross-outs

To get your very own copy of Breadcrumbs Volume 2 visit: LegacyProductions.org/breadcrumbs-vol-2/

To learn more about Jim Ellis visit: LegacyProductions.org

To learn more about me and how I show up in the world visit: SusanBurrell.com