‘So what if others laugh at you; keep going’

Poetry when practiced seriously as an art form teaches one to not take the remarks of others to  heart. Kenisha Verma, a class 9 student at Apeejay School, Pitampura, seems to have realised this truth very well. In the Apeejay Promising Poet’s special interview, Kenisha speaks about her journey into verse and reminds all that no matter what, one must pursue one’s passion. Read edited excerpts:

Since when did you start writing poems?

I started writing poems during the first lockdown, back in 2020. I was a class 7 student then. 

So, what inspired the turn towards verse?

My first poem was titled ‘The last cookie’.  In this poem, I wrote about an incident that happened to me. My brother and I sneaked out of our room one time to get some cookies without telling our mother. Our mother however found out about the incident the next morning itself, but to our amazement she was not angry. She just said that we could have informed her because there was another jar of cookies. So, it was a very funny incident. I expressed myself through the poem and captured this beautiful memory.

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

The school really helps me a lot. Our teachers are always there for us. If there is any mistake in any poem they tell me and help me improve. At times, they suggest that I use some other word in a particular line in my poem for a greater impact. So, they help me in every way possible. I would especially like to thank Ms. Seema Chauhan ma’am, she helps me a lot. 

We loved your poem ‘I am sorry’ and found the concept very creative. How did you come up with the idea?

I just tried to express what I would like to say in the last letter I write before I die. It described how I would say sorry to all and how I would also haunt some people for fun after my death (laughs). I was listening to some music and the idea for this struck me all of a sudden.

After you get the idea, how do you go about writing the poem?

It takes me about a week or two to write a poem. I start by thinking about what I should write, I then write down the core idea that I want to express in the poem. It is after this that I start writing the poem, thinking and  finding the right words and then selecting the correct rhyming words. I write mostly about my personal experiences or about a common topic in which I think could help many people with my impactful thoughts.

Which suits you better: Rhyme or free verse?

Rhyme. When I read a self-written poem in rhyme, the impact increases, I find it more interesting. 

One advice to budding poets?

Just write what you want to write! Express yourself freely! So what if others laugh at you, keep going!

What do you like the most about writing poetry?

The fact that I can express myself without any inhibitions or hiding behind any social or personal curtain.