Inside the Mind of a Peep Poet
For Raaven O'Quinn, Peeps aren't just pastel-colored marshmallow blobs, they are what poems are made of. About five years ago, O'Quinn fused two wonderful things, Peeps and haikus, to create PeepHaiku.com. The site allows any Peeps poet to upload 5-7-5 metered dedications to those brown, beady eyes.
In the spirit of Peeps season, we electronically sat down with O'Quinn to find out why the fat-free, meatless chicks are just so darn special and have spawned other fetishistic side projects such as this dot-org Peeps Research site or Washington Post's Peep Diorama contest. (The 2008 winners will be announced in Sunday's issue).
The interview, after the jump.
What month do you start thinking about Peeps? Or is it a year-round mindset? Like many people, I think of them whenever I see them. The haiku-making, though...that usually starts in January or February.
Your non-Peeps-related day job? I don't have a day job, as such. I do a little home making, some freelance writing, and lots of online research projects.
Got a favorite Peep color? I like the yellow ones. And I like them very, very stale.
Don't they all sorta taste the same? You'd think so, and most people would swear so. But I believe I can taste differences.
Whoa, super-human Peep powers. What are your thoughts on Peeps for other holidays, such as V-Day or wintertime? Does the purist in you cringe? Yes and no. On the one hand, yes, the purist in me cringes. On the other, it's nice to see something I enjoy so much being spread to more people. Their success in other areas probably means that the original will be around for a long, long time. That's good.
Bizzarest way you've seen Peeps used (or abused)? Honestly, the Peep Research folks have done the weirdest things to our little sugary friends. Fascinating stuff they're doing.
How many Peeps have you had today? Yellow, or otherwise. None. I won't buy any fresh ones until they go on sale after Easter. And then I'll let them sit around and get nice and stale. It'll probably be a couple of months before I have any.
Ever zapped one in the microwave? Be honest. Yeah. If you let them get nice and hot, then cool down again, the crunchiness mimics staleness.
I noticed there's a couple haikus on your site devoted to this devilish act. (We've all done it) So how many submissions have you received so far this season, microwave-related or not? Not a lot this year, so far. A lot fewer than even I expected. We're still in the 4-5 range. We may, however, get a flurry on or after Easter itself.
I have to ask. What's your personal favorite 3-liner? My newest, actually...which I haven't even posted on the site yet.
Ooh, a sneak preview.
Here it is:
pink sugar chickies
like cherry blossoms in spring
dance with me in dreams
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1 Comment:
There is a book devoted to Peeps, too. From the book's description, it appears that we can decorate with Peeps by using them as placecard holders or by stringing them (on wire? on string?) and hanging the resultant 'garland' for a festive accent. Dipping them in chocolate and nuts is also mentioned in the book's description. That makes me shudder a bit, but it might work for the Peeps fans out there. I need to go work on a Peeps haiku. Maybe not, but now that I have that thought in my head, something is bound to develop. :)
MelsDiner at 9:26AM on 03/21/08