q & a

Why Chevaliers du Byzantin?

it’s taken from ‘Ordre des Chevaliers du Saint-Sépulcre Byzantin’. i particularly resonated with ‘the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher gave special emphasis to the spiritual and religious ideal as a Christian Order of Knights . . . Undoubtedly the Order served as an escort for Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land. In many cases, the Order succeeded in buying the freedom of captured and displaced Europeans through diplomatic negotiations with the Saracens. Wealthy persons were obliged to reimburse the ransom money to the Order. The Order stood up, however, for people without means.’

Why poetry? 

i’m pretty messed up – see a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist – both encouraged me to start writting.

How do you write?

it really just flows out of me, i very seldom edit what has been written. sometimes i have to wipe away tears as i write. my poetry is very personal. there are times i can’t write, i never force it.

Why no punctuation? 

i allow the emotions and hence the words to flow from me – there’s no time to cross t’s and dot i’s. i want it to be preserved as is.

What is meant by ‘Red Death’?

i have aids.

In ‘Saint-Sépulcre‘ you refer to your ’armor of ethereal threads precious metals the battle garment in the fight against red death’.

i have recently – in the last four months or so – had to change my medication as the previous medication was no longer effective. i hate having to pump my body full of these chemicals, but it has got to the stage where i have to, not to prolong my life, but to make life more bearable. 

Do you suffer from depression?

yes, and very often thoughts of suicide.

Are you very religious?

i grew up in a christian home, but my beliefs today are not limited by those teachings.

What then is the most important aspect of your beliefs?

i believe in the day of judgment. we will one day have to answer for our knowledge, understanding and actions of that knowledge. He is a merciful God and will not hold us accountable for things we do not know to be true.

Do you have a mission in life?

to be the best person i can and to help others do the same.

Any regrets? 

not being geographically closer to my family.