To be deathly honest, I’m not a hardcore poet. I’m not in it for glory or money, just my own entertainment. In my youth I’ve explored many areas. Not just poetry but many various activities. I absolutely love writing in general. Poetry is just one of those forms of my expression and another area in my life being explored.
Poetry and my past don’t go too far back. We are all blessed with the poetry unit in our English classes. They just make every poem stiff and structured. We had poems such as haikus, sonnets, rhymes and many more. We never got to write the simple free form poem. Don’t get me wrong: it’s nice to expand my knowledge and learn all the different kinds and explore the areas. I just happened to be the stubborn kid in class who wanted to do it my way. I didn’t like being told what to do, and I hated all the different types.
About a year and a half ago, I had my friend Patricia introduce me into her own world of poetry. It was a completely new sight for me outside of English class. (She’s secretly my favorite poet but don’t tell her that. She’s so talented.) Yes, I was a kid who’d read Shel Silverstein. I know I know. Gasp. I can’t call myself a true poetry reader. I can already see horrified faces. I apologize for being uneducated and ignorant. So basically I gradually learned a little about poetry just playing with the idea and language. No big deal. I always write about those things that get me down when they occur. A broken heart, a bad time in life, just those things that bring me to tears. I always try to compete with Patricia; I still do, to tell you the truth. I’m very childish I know. (She’s amazing! You shouldn’t even bother with reading the rest of my article; instead read some of her poetry right now.)
For all of you continuing my story, I’m all about expressing myself. I wanted a challenge, to try and love something I hated so much when I was immature. Poetry was that for me. Put me in English class and tell me how to write a poem and I will restrain myself from yelling. Ask me to write a poem of my choice, and I’ll get fluttery feelings in my tummy. I’ve always had patience for my poems as they slowly develop and blossom. I take the time to ripen, revise and review. I like to make the poem the best I can and ripe for the picking. (Look out now! I just used personification and alliteration!)
I know poetry won’t be a profession when I’m older. It’ll always be there when I’m crying to help me regain my steps. I’m sure everything I’ve learned from Mr. Torreson will benefit me somehow. I guess the most important thing to me is making it my own. After all those poetry units and now being able to do poetry freely, I heart it!