Meet Darius Farrar (Cary, North Carolina)

Darius Farrar is a “Neo-Soul” poet. He is known to his fans as Poetic Farrar. He started his poetic journey in the year of 2003 just writing down things here and there but by the year of 2005, Darius began to take poetry seriously and used poetry as an escape route from the deaths of several loved ones and friends close to his heart. Being inspired poetically he found a way to deal with several different issues and discovered a pure talent within his self which ultimately lead to poetry once again being a mighty way of escape from the many thoughts of suicide and the previous lost family members he had not yet gotten over of.

Darius is very passionate about his poetic craft more now than ever before. He feels like poetry is one of his many callings. He is inspired daily by everyday events that others may take for granted. He continues to successfully write poetry for every occasion including relationships, love, death, current events and even marriage and divorce. He has done several events including fashion shows and Christian programs showcasing his poetic skills. He has also started to venue into writing mini-series and short stores. Currently Darius resides in North Carolina and is writing his first book. 

UBAWA: When did you first realize your attraction to poetry?
Darius: In the year 2003 when I discovered it as an outlet and expression for several different feelings I had. I was never the type to sit down and talk with people so when I realized this attraction to poetry I took heed to it very quickly.

UBAWA: Tell us about the very first poem you have ever written
Darius: The very first poem I wrote was poorly written. I had several different grammar errors. It was a poem titled "Suicidal Lifestyle" where it was explaining the thought process behind a suicidal person and why they would rather take that route instead of any other route.

UBAWA: Do you have a favorite poet? If so, who is he/she?
Darius: Yes, I have three of them. My all time favorite poet was a man by the name of Jupiter Hammon who was the first known African American to publish literature. He was a lifelong slave in Long Island, New York and published his first poem in 1760 on Christmas Day. Another favorite of mines is Paul Laurence Dunbar who was the first African American poet to garner national critical acclaim. Lastly, Etheridge Knight who didn't began writing poetry until he was incarcerated in 1960 and his first book, Poems From Prison, didn't come out until 1968. is a favorite of mines as well. 

UBAWA: When you’re writing poetry, do you think in terms of genre? 
Darius: No, I never think of a specific genre nor the terms of it until after I have finished writing and editing. Honestly, about 80% of the time I don't know what genre I really want to write until I start flowing and poetry starts leaking out of me onto paper and I'm reading it back.

UBAWA: Some people say writing poetry is like writing a rap or love song. Do you agree? Why/why not?
Darius: I do think there are several different similarities to writing love songs, writing raps and writing poetry but I think it is different because when you are writing a rap or a love song you have to have certain sections. But when you are writing poetry, depending on the specific genre you're writing, you can just free write and let it flow.

UBAWA: Are there certain styles/techniques/rules of poetry you adhere to in your writing? Tell us about your writing style. 
Darius: I have a free type of writing style. I do not adhere to any rules or techniques, I just write from my heart. I have a saying of "If you cut my skin above paper, what you will find is passionate poetry spilling out my veins and applying wisdom, love and experience to your lives.

UBAWA: What poetry books have you written? 
Darius: I am in the process of writing my very first poetry book.

UBAWA: Have you performed any of your poetry pieces on stage? If so, please share your experience(s) with us. 
Darius: I have performed my poetry on several different stages. I love the stage! There is no other experience to me than to have the attention to speak life into a crowd of people in the form of poetry.

UBAWA: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of love? 
Darius: A lot of different thoughts and feelings comes to mind when I think of love but my first is always Jesus Christ.

UBAWA: Are you currently dating someone, married, or single? 
Darius: I am currently dating someone!

UBAWA: Do you think success is a matter of chance or a matter of choice?
Darius: I personally think that success is a matter of choice. You have to choose to put in the work so that you may reap the benefits of success when the time comes. Success is produced from the sacrifice of choosing to put your thoughts into actions.

UBAWA: Inspiration for a new poem can come from the strangest places. What inspired you to write your most recent poem?
Darius: My most recent poem was inspired from a picture I seen that was posted on instagram and then that same picture was posted on facebook.


UBAWA: If you could go back and “right” any past wrong in your life, which one would it be and why? 
Darius: I would have to say it would be when I broke the heart of my then girlfriend and now good friend. I would of went back and made it right. The way and manner I did it was beyond disrespectful and childish but then again i was a child.

UBAWA: When you’re not writing, what are you doing? 
Darius: Reading books, drawing, listening to music, thinking of my poetry to write and eating.

UBAWA: There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes of a poet’s life, fill us in on what one typical day for you is like.
Darius: Depends on the type of day it is but a typical day would be me waking up around 7am or 8am. Getting my morning routine completed of shower, brushing teeth, etc. Then from there I usually take about 15 to 20 minutes to go on a walk and gather my thoughts and look at the beauty of Gods' creations. Then after arriving back home after that walk, I usually try to write some poetry, work on my book and get on facebook. In the afternoon, it's me helping my younger sisters with their homework if they need help, my eating and me writing more poetry and getting onto social media.

UBAWA: If you could create the “perfect day,” what would it be like?
Darius: The perfect day for me would be me sitting lake side with the woman of my dreams writing poetry and relaxing drinking hot sweet tea.

UBAWA: What do you do on the weekends? 
Darius: On the weekends I usually write poetry and go to church.

UBAWA: Do you hang out or go to clubs?
Darius: I'm not really a club guy! That's not my scene.

UBAWA: If you could visit any other country in the world and take one other person with you, where would you go and who would you take?
Darius: I would go to Jakarta (which is Malaysia and Indonesia I believe) or I would go to Australia in the summer time. and I would want to take author Brittney LaKendra Holmes with me.

UBAWA: Tell us about one challenge in life that you had to overcome. What was the challenge and how did you get through it?
Darius: The death of my grandparents has been the greatest challenge I've faced in my 26 years on this earth. My grandfather passing away first then my grandmother passing away shortly after was the thoughest thing I've ever been through. I overcame that by God and poetry.

UBAWA: Before you leave, tell us one thing about yourself that we may not know.
Darius: One thing about myself that you may not know is that I have the ability to write anything that comes to my mind weather I have physically experienced it or not.

UBAWA: Do you host contests or giveaways?
Darius: No I do not host contests nor giveaways yet. But I will in the near future!

UBAWA: Any upcoming events that we should know about?
Darius: I will be releasing two books next year (2014). I will be releasing a novel titled "The Perfection of an Imperfect Christian" as well as my very first Book of Poetry.

UBAWA: What’s your website?
Darius: www.facebook.com/poeticfarrar

UBAWA: Facebook?
Darius: www.facebook.com/darius.farrar

UBAWA: Twitter?
Darius: www.twitter.com/PoeticSwag87

UBAWA: Youtube Channel?
Darius: www.youtube.com/poeticswag87