Opening up through poetry

Bobba, originally from Seattle, has always enjoyed writing poetry.

It wasn’t until he was in his 50s, however, that writing it came to him more naturally – around the time he came out as bisexual.

Exploring his sexuality unlocked Bobba’s creativity, and he began writing prolifically. Bobba’s life has been an adventure, having spent time living in Nigeria, as part of the Peace Corps, as well as working as a lecturer and tennis coach. He’s always loved dancing, too, which is why he attends the Silver Swans ballet classes at Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland.

Bobba also loves that Leicester has such a dynamic poetry community. His poetry name is Bobba Cass, and there are many readings of his poems online. From a young age Bobba was inspired by poets such as Emily Dickinson, Carl Sandburg and Robert Frost. He’s also influenced by Shakespeare’s sonnets and admits to having memorised them.

Poetry and sexuality

Bobba shared a passion for poetry with his ex-wife. She used to read poems to him, which gave him a love of hearing poetry spoken aloud. But his true discovery of poetry and its role in his life came from exploring his sexuality.

“It wasn't until I had the experience of, as part of my gay life, affection from another man,” explains Bobba. “That released the poetry in me. This was in the ‘90s and I was in my early 50s. Somehow that just released all of it. I’ve never looked back.”

Bobba says writing poetry is something that comes naturally to him now, rather than something that he has to work hard at. They come to him at great speed, too – in his first year of writing, he penned 100 poems.

“I started to hear the poems, and I learned always to have some paper by me, because phrases would just come tumbling out.” Having spent time living in rural Nigeria, Bobba would visit friends in nearby villages and was heavily influenced by the mesmerising rhythms and chanting.

But it was after Bobba retired from his full-time job as a lecturer in Cultural Studies, in 2003, that he was able to focus on this poetry. He could then take time to reflect on the issues that he faced in therapy during the ‘80s, like discovering that his father was also bisexual.

“When I realised my father was in fact bisexual, that opened up the door, and so, the main thing that happened after I retired was the poetry. There was time in which I could indulge myself.”

Leicester’s poetry scene

Bobba describes the poetry community in Leicester as being very dynamic and diverse, with lots of open mic events, showcasing a great deal of diversity and creative energy.

With kindred spirits Bobba started up an LGBT+ positive poetry event – Pinggg…K! – in 2011. At 87, he remains very active in the local poetry community and goes to at least two poetry events every month, and always approaches them with an open mind.

“If you don't like their poems, it doesn’t matter,” explains Bobba. “You honour people, you recognise them. There's so much positive support that's very good.”

It’s this sense of community that resonates with Bobba. In the past, writing poetry was a solitary and private experience. Now, however, it’s become a shared one.

“There is all the sharing going on. People want to hear my poetry, and I want to hear theirs. That’s how poetry communities develop.

Powerful female influences

Bobba talks about the female influence in the Leicester poetry community and the value of mentoring he’s received from female poets, which has helped to shape his own writing.

“Leicester's a place of women's energy. The mentoring helped me shape my poems.”

Women provided an enriching influence on Bobba’s early life too, beginning with his grandmother, who he describes as the most important person in his life.

“She lived with us,” recalls Bobba. “Because my grandfather died when I was three. She lived with us until she died. She died in our home when I was 18 years old. And she gave me an enormous amount… Almost always it's been women who have advised and given to me. I see women as being incredibly creative.”