Self-Expression – Voices 43

I haven’t always been a poetry person. In school, I found that I could write good academic papers and essays, but it didn’t seem like a big deal to me. Yes, my writing was a skill that could help me to pass an English class, but that seemed like it wasn’t really important.

That is, until I started a Creative Writing class. I found that I enjoyed writing creative works, especially poetry. I’m no where near that of professionals but being able to describe my own aesthetic in words was amazing.

One of my favorite memories, actually, was an assignment for a writing class. The objective was to write an awful poem, so that my peers and I could assess what not to do. Due to the fact that I was running late that day, I just hurriedly jotted down a few lines.

I thought that since I didn’t spend a large amount of time, the poem would come out horridly. However, once we reviewed it in class, my fellow classmates and teacher all agreed that it was well-written, not the junk piece I had meant for it to be.

I think it was around that time that I found out I had a knack for poetry and creative writing. Being me, I did not have that much confidence in my work. Yet, when others read it, I was proud of myself for writing the piece, with or without their compliments.

I began to occasionally write my own few pieces of poetry. Nothing big or major, just a way to express myself when I felt down or had nothing better to do.

Funny enough, I also work at a Build-A-Bear, where we are expected to create small rhymes to entertain the children. While some may find it taxing or tiresome, I enjoyed seeing the children smile as they said their lines that would magically enchant their stuffed animal.

If I were to give any advice to other writers, I would say not to be too hard on themselves. Striving for perfection all the time can be tiring.

To me, even making a little rhyme can bring out the happiness in someone, including myself. That lyrical resonance can be its own beautiful creation.