Quintessential Poetry Spotlight Tribute: Genevieve F. Ray (1987-2026)
We dedicate this rebroadcast to the loving memory of poet and spoken word artist Geneviève F. Ray (1987–2026).
This conversation is one of the brightest moments ever captured on Quintessential Poetry. Recorded on a Saturday morning across continents (January 23, 2023), this interview reveals Genevieve at her most luminous—honest, funny, vulnerable, brilliant, and fully herself.
In this episode, Genevieve speaks about
- poetry as a living companion
- neurodiversity and self‑understanding
- ancestry, identity, and belonging
- mental health and survival
- her one‑woman show Free Roaming Adult Woman
- the courage it takes to tell the truth
Her voice—her laughter, her pauses, her fire—remains a gift. This interview stands as a portrait of who she was when the world wasn’t watching, only listening.
About Genevieve Ray: Genevieve was a poet, performer, educator, and community builder whose work uplifted countless voices. Her debut poetry collection, Free Roaming Adult Woman, is still moving readers around the world.
May her words continue to rise. May her fire continue to guide.
00:00 Welcome to Quintessential Poetry + Meet Genevieve Ray
01:55 What Is Poetry? Genevieve’s Definition & Why It’s Human Nature
03:49 Finding Her Voice: Pandemic, Identity, Neurodiversity & Advocacy
08:44 Why Poetry Matters: Access, Flexibility & Community Conversations
10:38 Why ‘Genevieve Firepoint’? The Phoenix Metaphor & Creative Rebirth
13:56 Performance: “Free Roaming Adult Woman” (and the Encore)
18:35 Literary Roots & Early Power of Poetic Language (William Blake)
23:43 Reading Together: William Blake’s “The Tyger” + Craft Talk
26:19 Guard Down or Wall Up? Persona, Truth, and the Poet’s Self
28:39 Performance: “For Eulogies” + Does Writing Poetry Hurt?
35:53 Themes & Mission: Love, Protest, Teaching, and Empowering Others
38:37 Performance: “Doubt” + Process—How Poems Start, End, and Get Edited
44:20 Performance: “The Muse Will Not Lift” + Influences & Theater Voice
50:10 Writing for Connection: Making Language Accessible
52:55 From Page to Stage: What Spoken Word Means
54:45 The Poet’s Role Today: Emotional Journalism & Ancestry
57:22 Can Poetry Be About Anything? From Rocks to Stamps
01:07:38 Mentorship & Finding Your Voice: “Collect the Gems, Build the Crown”
01:14:21 Mini Poetry Concert: “Trance (Six Minutes)” & Ophelia Reimagined
01:18:43 Destiny, Surprise, and What Poetry Gives Back
01:24:25 What’s Next Creatively: Travel, Collaborations, One-Woman Show
01:26:15 Poetry UK Behind the Scenes: Building Community on Facebook
01:29:33 Where to Follow Genevieve + Final Farewell
Thank you for listening to Quintessential Listening Poetry Online Radio and YouTube. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to our podcast on your preferred platform to stay updated on new episodes. You can also leave a review on our podcast to help us improve our content and reach more listeners. Follow us on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook to stay connected with us and join our community of poetry lovers. Finally, if you’re a poet or spoken word artist and would like to showcase your work on the podcast, please contact the host, Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram, at maingram@gmx.com. Thank you for your support and we look forward to sharing more poetry with you soon!
