This article discusses Becky Gibson’s book of poetry entitled Need-Fire. She comments on grammar, history, style, and the challenges of communicating to audiences using multiple forms of English. “‘Need-Fire’ charts the journey of one woman’s extraordinary life,” raves Liz Rosenberg, a final judge at the Bright Hill Press poetry book competition, about Becky Gibson’s most recent collection of poetry. “It never stumbles in its commitment to the story.”
“Need-Fire” focuses on the life of Hild, a woman who ran a monastery on the Northumberland coast at Whitby during the seventh century. For this time period, a woman having a considerable influence in her native land is fascinating.
Gibson described the importance of unearthing figures such as Hild: “We know that they existed, but their voices are lost. My job as a writer is to give them their voices.”
Gibson wrote her poetry in Modern English but incorporates Old English words. She is fascinated by Old English, commenting that it’s “both strange and familiar.”
Structure is an essential aspect of “Need-Fire,” especially when alliteration is used. “Alliteration is important and prominent in Old English poetry,” Gibson said. Even the title derives from the seventh century, which describes sun charms that Germanic people would use in pre-Christian Europe: “It offers a hope for magic, to bring the God’s into alignment with your needs.” Gibson asserts that she “learns through literature,” which shows itself when she teaches and writes.
After teaching at the North Carolina School of Arts, Gibson began her career at Guilford College in 1988. Having taught courses in British Literature, Poetry, and Women’s Studies, Gibson describes herself as a “generalist” who was trained to teach multiple subjects.
Today, Gibson remains a prominent figure at Guilford. She teaches part-time and tutors students in The Learning Commons. “Now that I only teach part-time, I have more time to write,” Gibson said.
When discussing the challenge of communicating through writing, Gibson discussed word choice: “I wanted the words to have a certain sound, a sound that would be recognized by Hild if she was coming here today.”
She cited Caedmon, one of the world’s first poets, as a major influence on her gift of verse-making. Other influences include poet Eleanor Wilner, who “revises myth from a female perspective,” Gibson said.
Wilner also admires Gibson’s work, glorifying “Need-Fire” as “a prodigious feat of historical imagination.”
Gibson respects the work of Adrienne Rich as well. “She makes poetry out of historical figures, bringing them back to life,” she said.
“All of my influences come together,” Gibson said. “All strong women I’ve known coalesce in this book. They are important as a part of my own growth.”
On the heels of the acclaimed “Need-Fire,” Gibson will release another collection of poems entitled “Aphrodite’s Daughter” in September.