‘Through poetry, I communicate with my inner thoughts!’

 I always say, ‘Everyone can become a poet but not everyone can become a poet.’ This statement may look confusing to you at first but it is rather very simple. It means every individual has it within them whatever it takes to be an artist or poet. However, it is not everyone’s cup of tea to cultivate the inner dynamics, brave social criticism and still go on to bare their heart and create magic through words.

Prisha Chandna from Apeejay School, Noida certainly has the sensitive heart to become a poet. She is able to look beyond the physical cage and value a person’s heart. Selected as this week’s Poet of the Week, let us see what the young writer has to say about her craft. Read on edited excerpts:

At what age did you start writing poetry?

Just before adolescence; my poetic journey began from the age of 11.

And what inspired you to write poems?

I love to read books and I am into journaling as well. So, one day I was sitting idly and suddenly my mind came up with the idea of writing a poem and that is when I really got interested in verse writing.

Tell us the idea behind your poem: What makes her beautiful?

One day in school I was having a conversation with my friends on physical appearances and a thought struck me that why in this world everyone is so insecure about their physical personality when what really matters is your inner beauty and how empathetic and caring, how kind and enthusiastic you are. This thought stuck with me and I wanted to describe this insecurity in a form of poem so I wrote What makes her beautiful.   

 Who is your favourite poet and what’s your favourite poem?

Robert Frost and his iconic poem Fire and ice.

The clichéd but vital question: Rhyme or free verse?

Free verse. My range of writing increases in this.  

Writing poems in the day or night?

I like to write in the night as there is no one around me and I can hear myself, think loudly and am also able to process my thoughts and feelings clearly.

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

My school gives ample opportunities for skill and confidence building. Through the platforms of class and house activities like radio-show, debates, essay writing, dramatics, we are groomed in a creative manner. Teachers at school make sure that we keep building our vocabulary with lots of new words and this helps me to write flawlessly.

 How do you approach writing a poem? How much time does it take you?

 I keep observing my surroundings and many times there are situations or incidents which captivate my thoughts and motivate me to write.

When thoughts come rushing to my mind,  I am able to pen them down and can easily complete a poem within 3-4 hours but sometimes when thoughts are jumbled and the picture is hazy in my mind it takes me 2-3 days to finish a poem. I love to write about nature, women, feelings and I also like to write about insecurities which a person gets from peer pressure in society.

 According to you, one best thing about writing poetry?

Best thing about writing poetry for me is that I am able to communicate with my feelings and inner thoughts and vent. These ventings turn into beautiful writings.