POLISHED POETRY: TWO SENIORS SHARE THEIR POETRY, THEIR INSPIRATION AND THEIR PERFORMING EXPERIENCES.
What inspired you to write this poem? This poem is inspired by a totally real dream of mine. I’ve wanted to move to Ireland for some time, and while I understand that this poem takes a really idealistic view on it, sometimes I think it’s good to have that hope in your heart.
BY TAI TWOREK
When did you write this poem? I wrote this poem a few months ago, just randomly.
“NEW PLAN” BY GRACE BATES I’m going to winter in Ireland Like a goose, but better Instead of honey, beaches and clouds so full I can only dream that someday I’ll sleep on them it’ll be a sea of green as far as my little eye can see It’ll be cliffs Sharp drops, waters roaring with the fury of giants It’ll be giants I’ll only see them at night when there is a black spot in the sky where the stars should be and I look out in the morning into the sea and know they are there sleeping It’ll be sheep And cows, probably I’ll see them when I go walking in the morning I’ll watch as the momma with the chipped left horn and the caramel hair nudges her still sleepy eyed baby her baby’s got the same look I wonder if he will grow up to have 100 | The Communicator Magazine |
a chipped horn too It’ll be dirty I’ll always have dirt under my fingernails, and maybe some on my face from my garden I’ll grow the best veggies in town in a little greenhouse all the kids will come to me on days when they just want to play outside until their cheeks are red and eat soup until they are warm with love It’ll be imperfect There will be a loose stone in the walkway to my front door that will make a little sigh as it rubs against its neighbor stones when it’s stepped on and everyone else will learn to avoid it but I will always step on it I’ll like its little sigh
Do you see yourself continuing poetry in the future? Yes. I’m pursing English and writing in college, and I’m super excited about it. I can confidently say that I don’t really think I’ll ever stop writing. How has your poetry changed during your four years at CHS? Oh man, I walked into CHS not a writer at all. And now I’m leaving with a plan to pursue writing in college. I think finding poetry at CHS and having the incredible English department has helped me make peace with a lot of things. When I first started, my poetry was really harsh and often angry. Nowadays though, my poems are a lot simpler. I prefer making tangible imagery that brings people joy over trying to create upset in my readers. I think that both my poetry and I have matured a lot in our time at CHS. What was your favorite event that you have read at? I wouldn’t say there has been an event I loved more than another. But, I will say that the moments where I have sat down with one of my friends — just the two of us — and read them a poem, those are some of the most treasured moments in my heart. I love my friends, and 80% of the time my poems are in part for them.
