‘I am still searching for the best poem’

Anshika Jakhar, class 8 student at Apeejay School, Charkhi Dadri is a poet different from the rest. Her innovative ideas are refreshingly new, different as well as pleasing and that’s what set her apart from the conventional voices. In the Apeejay Promising Poet interview series, the spirited poet from Charkhi Dadri explains her poetic philosophy. Edited excerpts:

At what age did you start writing poetry?

I started writing poetry at the age of 12. I was in class 7 when one day I was looking at a magazine that had a lot of poems written by students. So I felt that I can also write a poem. I then sat beside a window and wrote down all that I saw on the paper. Then I modified the write up, edited it and finalised the poem. 

What is the inspiration behind writing poems?

I see there are so many people who are writing poems and I also want to make my name in this field. Poem provides me the platform to write my views and thoughts. I want to express myself and make a name in literature.

Your poem ‘A Poem’ was so innovative. What was the thought process behind it?

When I read poems, I have observed that every poem has a topic but I haven’t seen any poem that was written on how to write a poem or a story. I thought let me just sit and first write down all that I see on the paper and then write and structure the poem based on my entire experience of the process of writing the poem. 

How does your school Apeejay Charkhi Dadri help you in writing such lovely poems?

Principal Sir, Mr. Rudrendra Basak supports me to write poems and stories as well as encourages me to submit them to Apeejay Newsroom. He tells me they will help publish them on their website with my name. My English teacher at the school, Poonam Ma’am, also encourages me a lot.

Please tell us about the process behind writing a poem?

It generally takes me about half an hour to write my thoughts, emotions and observances on the paper. It then takes me another fifteen minutes to modify, edit and finalise the poem. Writing a poem is not so hard; I first wrote all that I saw on the paper and then just edited it. 

What are some of the next poems you are going to write?

I haven’t thought about it yet. I am still thinking about it and searching for more stories and poems on nature. I usually write about nature and whatever I observe in my surroundings.

Who is your favorite poet and what is your favorite poem?

I don’t have a favorite poet yet. I am still searching for the best poem. I have read a lot of poems. All of them were nice but I am still looking for my favorite poem.

Do you prefer rhyme or free verse?

Rhyme. I write in rhyme.

What word of advice would you like to give to a budding poet?

I would advise him/her to write down all their feelings on a piece of paper. It will help him/her to keep a track of his/her thoughts and ideas that are coming to their mind. After writing them down, they should modify and edit them in accordance with the theme of their poem. This process will aid in getting a clearer expression of thoughts and ideas while writing the poem.