Interview with Xochitl, a Grand Rapids High School Student

1. When did you become a poet? I became a poet in 4th grade.
2. How old were you when you wrote your first poem? Well, I’m sure I wrote many, but I don’t remember them. But what did make me into a winning poet was a national poetry contest, the 2005 Love-a-Teen poetry contest sponsored by the Odyssey Foundation, for the poem “Grandpa’s Roof.”
3.. Do you have any inspiration for your poetry? What is it if you have any? Yes. Emotions are my inspiration. What I am feeling at the moment helps me to write.
4. What is your favorite thing to write about? I have various ones but again the feelings I have lived.
5. Do you have a special place to write poetry, and what is it if you have any? My room, with my cat snuggled next to me or at Schuler Book Store.
6. Can you tell if you wrote a good poem when you look at it? It depends if I put my whole heart into it. If I’m not concentrating on what I’m writing about, then it’s going to turn out bad. But if I’m lost in my thoughts of how I’m going to pour the words out I am going to write well.
7. What’s your favorite poem you have written? My favorite poem that I have written is about issues I have had with an Ex-Boyfriend.
8. What’s your favorite poem of another poet? My favorite poem overall would have to be “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost.
9. How did you become a poet? My poetry teacher discovered my poetic talent.
10. Do you have any writing advice for other poets?  If you really love what you are writing, pour your heart and soul into it. No matter if other people don’t understand it or like it. It’s that you do it. That’s all that matters.
 

Works by Xochitl