Phoenix Coverley: I Push Off the Rocks Interview

Katherine Preza Leonor
Aug 5
6 min read

POET HIGHLIGHT: Phoenix Coverley

Interview by Katherine Preza Leonor

Phoenix Coverley (She/Her) based in San Diego California, is a multidimensional being who is a poet, adventure guide, teacher, traveler, and formerly, a lawyer. Her favorite mediums of creativity are art, writing, and teaching. On her off time she is a surfer and lover of humanity. She considers herself a social anthropologist at heart, whatever she does, she's in it for the story. Siren Tales, her first book of poetry will be published this fall by Daxson Publishing. She is currently working on a novel, a series of mysteries and more poetry. The poem we will be focusing on is an excerpt from Siren Tales which is called I Push off the Rocks. Coverley’s social media handle is [INSTAGRAM]: phoenixseas and coast.phoenix.

Selecting this poet was extremely special for me because it gave a different insight to what I am used to reading as an editor at Los Angeles Poet Society, and as an avid reader in my spare time. Coverley's interpretation of life and nature is astonishing. Each poem is painted eloquently, I Push off the Rocks felt like a motivational piece to me. Having met her at the Beach Writer's Conference at USC for the Community Literature Initiative gave me a special insight to her voice and message. I was super excited to see that this interview was accepted, and I am equally as excited to share it to the world. With that being said, my first question for her was:

PREZA LEONOR: If you were to highlight one piece of work, which one would it be and why?

COVERLEY: I think my piece Encuentro, which will be published in The Wave, Kelp Journal exemplifies my ability to take risks in writing in order to highlight difficult topics that shine a light on what it means to be female. While 'equal rights' tends to be a buzzword, women know we still don't make the same money, and even after 'Me Too' there are so many situations where we are treated differently because of gender and perceptions of how a woman should act.

PREZA LEONOR: Where can we find your piece Encuentro? And, do you have any other published work?

COVERLEY: I have published the poems, Crab Season and Encuentro in The Wave and Kelp Journal. My book Siren Tales will be published by Daxson this November, and I have been a featured artist and guest speaker Under the Radar, a forum discussing Women in Surfing for San Diego Community College in 2023 and SD Voyager featured Artist in March 2022. She is a former food writer for Wine and Dine San Diego, and has written feature articles for Beach and Bay Press and The Santa Cruz Sentinel.

PREZA LEONOR: That sounds like a lot of accomplishments, I'll be sure to be on the look-out for Siren Tales. Heading back to I Push Off the Rocks, since you have such a multidimensional image and are involved in various things: what is your process like? How did you hope this piece would impact the world?

COVERLEY: I Push Off the Rocks is a first-person exploration of surfing. My intention in writing this poem is sharing the rush and exertion of the sport with those that may be curious about surfing, so that they feel one with the surfer, in the moment! I was feeling exalted when I wrote, I Push Off the Rocks. Surfing is a very physical and spiritual sport, which I find to be a form of therapy. I meant to communicate how surfing puts me at one with the ocean, a part of the great mystery that is the ability to commune with dolphins, paddle through the salty depths and after much practice, magically balance on its face.

PREZA LEONOR: I never really considered myself someone that was super into surfing, if anything I'm sort of afraid of the ocean because I can't see the floor, but reading your poem gave me a sense of warmth. It was this blanket of comfort I really appreciated and reading your poem made me want to face my fears and get out into the water. The spirituality and therapeutic components really came through. Since surfing is such a niche topic, how would you describe your writing and your target audience?

COVERLEY: My poetry focuses on the parts of life I love: 1. The respite of nature and the idea that the earth guides our path, which for me is hiking and surfing. 2. The parts of life that are inevitable: beginnings (love and sex), endings (suffering, growth and mortality) and salvation (the songs that get you through it all!). These themes are embodied in the chapters of my upcoming book, Siren Tales. Chapter 1: Rocking in the Cradle of the Earth, Chapter 2: Mortality: The Death of Idealism and Chapter 3: The Cradle that is Love. My target audience is explained in this excerpt from an introductory poem in Siren Tales: This collection of poems is for the Gen X woman, [or anyone] who's ever wondered, Who Am I? (I'm still learning), yearning to find that one passion that completes me, satisfies my need for creativity, justice and beauty...if you're looking for a respite from the daily oppressures of online dating, corporate greed and relationship foibles... the patriarchy, come with me on a poetic journey, keep seeking, the you you're meant to be!

PREZA LEONOR: What are your genres of preference?

COVERLEY: Printmaking, photography, poetry, painting and prose.

Aside from poetry, Coverley has several beautiful pieces of photography and paintings on her Instagram page. It is nice to see how all of her work is intertwined into a fascinating mosiac of art. If you can, definitely check it out!

PREZA LEONOR: Who are your inspirations and influences?

COVERLEY: As a child my grandmother housesat for Dr. Suess, so I'd have to say he was one of my first influences. Add to that Silverstein, Gorey and Roald Dahl, in my younger years, and Bukowski Dylan and Bradbury when I first started to take writing seriously. Perhaps Tom Waits is one of my favorite inspirations- he's pure genius and a fellow San Diegan!

PREZA LEONOR: It's always awesome to draw inspiration from people in our community. Myself, being an Angeleno, am always inspired by the amazing artists at our open mics and writing circles. Writing is impactful, especially in the world that tries to silence artists. Is there any social justice issues that you mentioned in your manuscript, outside of I Push Off the Rocks?

COVERLEY: Surf Therapy is my own salvation, and that of many soul surfers who find solace in the sea. I'm actively involved and write about Feminism, Surf Therapy, and Equal Rights. Some themes which are relevant throughout my manuscript are The Earth Spirit, Realism and Love as Life's Teacher.

PREZA LEONOR: For the young authors and artists out there, can you give us some insight on how your writing process evolves, and how you overcome things such as writer's block?

COVERLEY: My writing comes in fits and starts. Sometimes I write in the middle of the night, and I often think of poetry or songs while waiting for a wave in the ocean. I find it's important to write things down when you're inspired. That way, you can come back to it during a dry spell. Sometimes in the process of transcribing, new inspiration is born, or you are able to see a poem in a different light. Like art, I think it's important to give your words a long leash, allow them to tell you where they want to go and which bushes to sniff along the way.

PREZA LEONOR: And, just for a fun lasting note: what are your book recommendations? Anything on the spot.

COVERLEY: Alexandra Fuller, Louise Penny and Margaret Atwood!