‘Never keep feelings or ideas cluttered inside you’

Doesn’t it happen to you that a particular song reminds you of a particular phase in life, back when it was in your playlist? Songs are indeed one of our best friends. It is high time we shared this privileged position with books. Afterall, music fills our life with energy, the purest gift one can give to another. When times are full of light and colour, a song is our favourite companion in celebrating the moment to the full. And in times of shadow and doubt, a song is the shoulder we can safely lean on and share our grief with.

So why not then find the poetry within music? This is exactly what Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg student Nishtha Sharma did in her poem: ‘Music’. Speaking to us about her faith and love for music, the Apeejay Promising Poet says music is the only friend who has not let her down in life. Edited excerpts:

Since when did you start writing poetry?

I started writing poetry in my 5th grade. I was probably about 12 years old back then.

What inspired you to go ahead with poetry?

Poetry for me is saying a lot in fewer words. For some people it is easy to understand, while for some it is difficult. But for me it is the most interesting thing because in a poem, the poet has a different picture of what the poem is all about. But in the reader’s mind the picture may be different or maybe his and the poet’s thoughts may have the same link. So it is pretty interesting how everyone has a different view. Most importantly, poetry is a platform where you can express all of your feelings.

Your top poem and poet?

I would say it is William Shakespeare for me. He is the inspiration behind me continuing my writing after having discontinued it for a while. I wouldn’t say I have a specific favorite poem. I am still discovering a lot about the world of poetry.

All poets have their own process for writing a poem. What’s yours?

First, I try to have an idea of what I basically have to write about, and then I start writing all my thoughts on a page. Gradually, it takes the shape of a poem. I try my best to keep my focus on the topic of the poem. This makes me further curious to dig in and see what lies ahead in that topic.

Rhyme or free verse?

Rhyme forever!

Does the environment at your school inspire the poet in you?

Yes, the environment in my school inspires the poet in me. I had written a couple of poems before but could never gather the courage of bringing it to a wider audience. I would like to say thanks to all the people at my school for inspiring me and giving me the courage to show people what I can do, what I might be good at. I feel free and empowered.

Your poem on music is very nice. What was the thought behind this?

My poem about music is about my life, kind of my autobiography in the form of a poem. It represents what I have been through till now or am still going through. It speaks how music has been and will be my best companion throughout life. Music has been with me when no one was there. Whenever I was sad, happy or lonely, the one thing that was always beside me was my music. It is the thing I love, that never broke my heart, never broke my expectations, never left me alone. It helped me to momentarily escape the problems of my life and also gave me the hope to get up again and face those very problems bravely.

Tell us about your upcoming poems?

About my upcoming poem, I’d rather keep it a secret, because I love giving surprises to my readers. It’s one of the best feelings.

One message to the world as a poet?

As a writer, I have a lot of messages but the one I would like to tell the whole world is, never keep feelings or thoughts cluttered inside you. Just let them out in any way you can, like I do by writing poetry and blogging.