‘Poetry is the best stress-buster’

Roopanshi Marwaha, class 11 student at Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, Jalandhar, is an optimistic poet. She is intrinsically very motivated and tries to spread around the fire through her words. In this week’s Promising Poet interview, the non-medical student speaks about her love for language and how writing a poem gives her a positive energy and vigour. 

When did you get initiated into poetry?

I started in class 10. I would write poems during the study breaks at home. I wanted to be creative and do something innovative, especially when I would get saturated with self-study. Writing a poem just refreshed me.

Tell us the story behind your first poem?

My first poem ‘Magic of prayer’ was written during the Covid-19 lockdown. Everyone was very depressed then. I wrote this poem since prayer is a very powerful weapon. We are blessed with so much happiness and we must count on our blessings.

Whenever I write poems, I make my entire family sit and listen to it. So when I recited this poem, my mother told me to get it published and have my latent potential be known. My father advised me to get it published at the Apeejay Newsroom website. I liked the idea and sent my submission. I got a lot of appreciation from teachers, classmates and even my relatives when it was published

Your favourite poet and poem?

Robert Frost and his iconic poem The Road Not Taken.

How does your school support you?

Principal sir motivates me a lot and my teachers have been a constant help in this process. Their appreciation makes me feel like writing more and more. My friends also inspire me. And finally,I would like to thank my father Mr. Naresh Marwaha. He is my biggest supporter.

Tell us about your writing procedure?

I write when I am alone at home. I usually write on motivational themes. It takes me around one hour to finish a poem. I write down the line in my diary whenever an idea strikes me.  

Upcoming poems?

I want to write a motivational poem on Happiness. I want to base it on the context of the International Happiness Day that is observed on 20 March. I plan to release the poem then. Also, recently, I wrote a poem titled ‘Did you see how time flies’ for the current class 12 batch. 

Rhyme or free verse?

Rhyme. It creates a beautiful rhythm making the verse flow like a song. However, I also look forward to trying free verse as well.

One suggestion to budding poets?

Write more motivational poems. People lack motivation these days. The world needs more inspiration, so write and spread the fire!

Lastly, the best thing about writing poetry?

It is a stress-buster. A poem just refreshes you!