‘Whenever I feel confused or lost, I write’

Riya Maurya is a law student by choice but is a poet by her instincts. She loves to write and unravel the clouds surrounding her heart’s landscape.  In this week’s Poet of the Week interview, the Apeejay Stya University student speaks of her love for Emily Dickinson’s poems and how writing a poem is a mini-therapy session for her. 

Read edited excerpts:

At what age did you start writing poetry?

I was around 15 or 14 when I started writing poetry. And it has been such a fascinating journey since then.

What inspired you to write poems?

Well, the inspiration behind writing poetry is that I find this the easiest way to portray sensations and showcase my emotions.

That is interesting! Tell us the thought behind your poem: A little fancy?

A little fancy is one of my favorites works. This poetry signifies male emotions and a man who is expressive, is usually considered to be mindless or ‘not masculine enough’. The poem talks about being a fool in this ‘so-called normal’ world, and how a man can rely upon a woman and tell her fears, ask for help, and be vulnerable around her.

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

My favorite poets are Emily Dickinson and Charles Bukowski. Though I am more of an Emily fan, my favourite among her works are: I’m nobody, who are you?, Because I could not stop for death and Bee! I’m expecting you.

To be honest, there are so many more that I couldn’t name all of them. Now if we talk about Charles Bukowski I just love his book  Love Is a Dog from Hell . All his poems in it are just extraordinary. 

All time question: Rhyme or free verse?

Free verse! I am so comfortable in it. 

What do you prefer: writing poems in the day or night?

I love writing at night, nights are usually more peaceful and quiet and it’s easy to focus.

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

It usually takes me approximately 1 to 2 hours to finish a poem. I don’t have any common writing theme, I just like gushing my heart open while writing as I’m not someone who writes poems specifically on a topic or something. It is just random and I would say it’s more like a therapy session to me. Whenever I feel endured, confused or lost, I simply write.

Best thing about writing poetry for you?

Well, personally verbal communication isn’t my forte; I lack in terms of communicating my thoughts or emotions. So I found it easy to word my opinions and sensory experiences and write poetry.