‘My imagination soars as I write,’ says this budding poet

Growing up is a beautiful yet painful process at times. It is so since we realise that many of the things we are constantly chasing, will have minimal long-term impact in our lives. What, however, is worth the effort and reward is peace of mind. To be happy, content, and at peace are the only goal worth having.

Sadhya Hota, student with Apeejay School, Kharghar, seems to have understood this wise thought. She writes about the same in her short story: Rainy- The golden reindeer. Speaking to her for the Poet of the week interview series, Sadhya explains what makes poetry a pleasurable activity for her. Read edited excerpts:

At what age did you start writing poetry?

I started writing poetry back in 2020, during the lockdown to be precise. I was 8 years old then. My first poem was in Hindi and it was titled ‘मेरी अभिलाषा’ which translates as ‘My wish’.

So what inspired you to write poems?

I started liking writing poems because it gave me the space to pour out my thoughts on the paper. That fascinated me a lot.

Tell us the thought process behind your story Rainy: The golden reindeer?

I love magic and fiction. That’s why I made this story a bit magical and fictional. It tells how one must be content in life for there is nothing bigger than peace of mind. That alone is the key to a happy life.

Your favourite poet and poem?

My favourite poet is Robert Louis Stevenson and my favourite poem is Daffodils by William Wordsworth. My favorite line is from the poem The cherry tree written by Robert Louis Stevenson.

‘Up into the cherry tree,

Who should climb but little me?’

When do you prefer writing poems – in the day or night?

I don’t have a fixed time. I can write at any time of the day. Basically, whenever I’m free.

How does your school help you to write such lovely poems?

I have been studying here since Nursery. My teachers have always helped me improve my English. The command over the language has in turn helped me in writing poems.

How do you approach writing a poem? What are your common writing themes?

It takes me around a few hours to finish a poem. Most of my poems are based on nature and festivals. These are my treasured themes.

An advice for budding poets

Before starting a poem, read books related to the theme you’re writing on.  Learn more facts about it.

Finally, the best thing about writing poetry is…

Whenever I write a poem, I imagine a lot of things and that is the best thing about writing poetry for me. My imaginations soars as I write.