South Carolina native, accomplished psychiatrist, and poet Dr. Frank Clark has the prestigious honor of having his poetry featured alongside the SC Philharmonic’s upcoming performance “American Memories.” While featuring familiar works by composers like Gershwin and Still, the ensemble will be performing the world premiere of pieces by Dick Goodwin, inspired by Clark’s poems “Partial Absence-Full Forgiveness” and “Foggy Brown Sugar.” We interviewed Dr. Clark in order to gain some insight on the creative processes behind his poetry, what inspires him, and the existing relationship he has with music.
JASPER: Have you always held a fondness for music? When did your interest first start?
CLARK: My relationship with music stems back to my childhood. My mother, a retired Chicago public school teacher and advocate for the arts provided an early exposure to music. I grew playing several instruments including the piano and flute. I have fond memories of attending various symphonies and performing in recital as child. These experiences allowed me to develop an appreciation for music.
JASPER: Did your love of music create an interest in poetry, or did that come up on its own?
CLARK: My love of poetry came later during a pivotal point in my life. I was diagnosed with clinical depression in medical school and experienced seasons of unrelenting despair. One day I decided to start exploring more of me while sitting at my favorite tea shop. I needed to find another way of coping with the array of thoughts that had percolated through my mind. These were thoughts of feeling like a failure and questioning if I would ever succeed in medical school after experiencing multiple academic hurdles. In retrospect my academic struggles in medical school were a blessing in disguise. I don’t know if I would have taken the step of putting the pen to paper to explore humanity in all its glory and imperfections. Writing poetry along with Lexapro at that time were my antidepressant that had synergist effects for my mind, body, and soul.
JASPER: With your poems being a key component in the upcoming SC Philharmonic performance, we were wondering if this is the first time your poetry has been featured in direct conversation with music, or do you consider this type of conversation whenever you write new poetry?
CLARK: I had never considered having my poems set to music until last year when I was blessed to meet University of South Carolina School of Music Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Dr. Gordon (Dick) Goodwin and his wife Winifred Goodwin. Dr. Goodwin and Winifred performed a virtual concert as part of the South Carolina Philharmonic Healing Harmonies program for the patients at Marshall Pickens Hospital and for our faculty in the Department of Psychiatry at Prisma Health Upstate. I became aware of Dr. Goodwin’s composition skills and decided to take a leap of faith by asking him to consider setting several of my poems to music. He graciously accepted this offer. My providential encounter with Dr. Goodwin and Winifred Goodwin has created a snowball effect. Currently, I am working on several collaborations with composers nationally and internationally. These collaborations remind me of one of my favorite scriptures: Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3).
JASPER: The subject matter of the featured poems “Partial Absence” and “Foggy Brown Sugar” are quite personal; do you find that writing about your family comes the easiest to you?
CLARK: Poems such as “Foggy Brown Sugar” and “Partial Absence-Full Forgiveness” were not easy but necessary for me to write in order heal during the grieving process. The former is about my mother who was diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder (dementia) several years ago. I wanted to find a way to capture the emotions that were evoked for me. As I psychiatrist I have provided care for individuals with neurocognitive disorders. The impact is different when it hits close to home. I still have days where I vacillate between acceptance, anger, bargaining. I am mindful of these feelings and am comforted by the fact that she is an environment where she is well cared for. I’m thankful that she is still able to recognize me, her daughter-in-law, and her granddaughter. We share the joy and love of music. These are all silver linings for me.
“Partial Absence-Full Forgiveness” is about my father, who was partially absent throughout my life. He passed away when I was in my early 20s. I wanted to find a way to express forgiveness given that for many years my heart was full of anger due to some of his decisions that impacted our family unit. I was able to process my feelings in therapy, which led to a sense of relief and peace. Writing this poem was difficult as it conveys my raw feelings, but it also allowed me to remember the important of grace, love, and mercy.
JASPER: Are there any other major ideas or concepts you tend to explore through your poems?
CLARK: Other concepts and ideas I have explored through my poems revolve around diversity, equity, and inclusion; the importance of exploring humanity; world events; and my Christian faith.
The SC Philharmonic’s performance of “American Memories,” which additionally features guest tenor Johnnie Felder, is on February 5 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available to purchase on their website.
Read the poems that inspired the performance:
“Foggy Brown Sugar”
Foggy brown sugar reclines in her regal chair.
I wonder if she remembers the days we viewed movies starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.
Foggy brown sugar mourns the loss of her previous independent dwelling.
Confabulation is her new peer that welcomes whimsical story telling.
Foggy brown sugar crumbles at the site of multiple short acting injections.
The mirror reveals a storage shelf filled with a variety of sweet reflections.
Foggy brown sugar searches for the proverbial spice of life.
Heavenly angels recite familiar psalms to provide protection from any strife.
Foggy brown sugar gazes at the spirited hawk.
She relishes the sight of princess feet frolicking on the sidewalk.
Foggy brown sugar ingest acetylcholine to sweeten a cognitive taste bud.
Her puzzled progeny still grieving the colorful substance that was once clear as mud.
“Partial Absence-Full Forgiveness”
I remember a childhood that left me partially love parched.
His routine became predictable and at times left my heart charred.
His mouth spewed messages that were entangled in my disorganized web, filled with mixed emotions.
His act sustained itself during the formative years of my life and left me in a state of delirium.
I remember a childhood that left me partially puzzled.
His adoration for Our Father was transparent like a glass ceiling.
His love for my faithful fan left my airway obstructed with questions that went unanswered.
His deceitful nature left my receptors feeling that his presence was indeed a placebo.
I remember a young adulthood that left me wandering into a bewildered wilderness.
Hatred, ambivalence, and regret disturbed my digestive system.
Love and father did not coexist in my world for many years.
Sanctuary became polluted with earthly pleasures.
I remember the moment in my life that left me fully transformed.
Molecules of love, peace, and forgiveness easily penetrated my once stubborn blood brain barrier.
My countenance lifted, thermostat reset, arms outstretched.
He offered prayers from heaven and his presence is more palpable than ever before.
Until we meet again.