Pete Outspoken: The Poet and Plumber of Carroll Gardens

Pete Romano looks more like a “Jersey Shore” cast member than a poet. His daily duds consist of a black tank top that showcases his exaggerated, tattoo-wrapped biceps and a backwards cap that looks like more of an extension of his head than an accessory.

Romano is a former cocaine and heroin addict who spent much of his life in and out of jail and rehab. He's a plumber and a Carroll Gardens resident.

But underneath the tough-guy, blue-collar exterior, is a poet. Romano, a Carroll Gardens native, has performed as a spoken word artist for four years. He rhymes wherever and whenever he can — in cafés and clubs, on the streets and under the sink, for friends and girlfriends — and friends’ girlfriends. We caught up with Romano recently.

Q. How did you get your start as a poet?

A. When I was younger, I had a knack for writing. I didn’t realize it then because to me writing was schoolwork, so I didn’t choose to sit home and write. Growing up in this neighborhood was different back then. You would be labeled a sissy boy if you wrote poetry. But I found a way around it. I used to write love letters for my friends’ girlfriends for them...And when my friends and I played records, I used to change the words of the song as it was playing. I was always good at moving words around and flipping words. I was like the “Weird Al” Yankovic of Brooklyn.

Q. You got into spoken word poetry while you were in a rehabilitation center four years ago for drug and alcohol addiction. What inspired you to perform?

A. They require you to do a lot of writing in rehab — about your feelings, your feelings towards others. Basically they wanted us to learn about ourselves and put it down on paper. I pretty much bullshitted my way through apology letters and the counselor caught on.  She told me I had a gift and that I could use it to kind of battle my demons…But really when it came out that I had a skill was when I started getting bored in rehab. I had nothing to do but write. I came up with this crazy poem and I was reading it to everyone and they loved it.

Q.  How do people react when they find out you’re a spoken word poet? 

A. People think I look like a big dummy. When people find out I’m a poet, they’re really surprised. One time someone said, “I can’t believe such beautiful words could come out of your mouth.” I was offended, but at the same time, it’s a good thing, because poetry makes people see me a little differently. Some people I know normally wouldn’t give me the time of day because I look like an intimidating guy or a tough guy, but when they hear me do poetry, they sort of open up and want to get to know me.

Q. You mentioned you’ve been in jail for assault and had problems with anger and aggression in the past. Where does that anger come from? How has your poetry helped you worked through those negative feelings?

A. At that time I was writing a lot about the dark side of life — about hate, hating myself, hating others. It was the result of years of suppression, drugs and alcohol. I also had a major loss in my life at the time. I was really seeking attention with my poetry. I would read it to people and I would ask for their opinion but really I just wanted someone to grab me and say, “Oh, you’re special. You’re a good person.” I was looking for support. It did help because I got a lot of positive feedback and it helped me to change my thoughts. I learned to be good to myself and be comfortable with my thoughts.

Q. When do you write the best?

A. Most of the time it’s when I spend my time by myself. Usually when its warm weather and I go bike riding in the park. I don’t know how to explain it exactly.  Words just come into my head and start making sense. Rather than having the feelings and searching for the words, words come into my head out of the blue and inspire feelings. Then it becomes kind of a release. It’s therapeutic. Usually I have a pad of paper with me and I sit down and start writing things down.

Q. People have described spoken word poetry as a hybrid of rap and poetry. Some even say it’s Shakespearean. What is spoken word poetry to you?

A. It’s street poetry, ‘hood poetry. It’s got more of a hard core message and people use their own slangs and terms. I think traditional poetry is more about interpreting what the author is writing about. Spoken word is more to the point. It’s like: here’s how it is, don’t pull any punches, and it’s written in a fast, shop-talking kind of way. It’s more real. It’s more gritty. 

Q. What would you say to someone who thinks spoken word poetry is a lesser art form?

A. Anybody who would say that, to me, is ignorant. That’s like going to an art gallery and judging who painted the best painting. How can you compare what’s less or more art? There’s no measure. It could be anything from a little kid drawing a stick figure to a teenager in wood shop who makes his first weed pipe to a Monet painting.

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