Poetry

Poetic relief

National Poetry Month highlights poets at FHS

Madelyn Lerew lerewmad000@hsestudents.org

From Shakespeare to Dickinson, poetry captures the imagination and hearts of people all around the world. April is national poetry month, which was rst celebrated in 1996 when the Academy of American Poets brought it into existence. FHS has numerous poets, each of whom uses their unique experiences to write. “When there’s something big happening in my life, I tend to nd more inspiration, whether it’s a good thing in my life or something I’m struggling with,” sophomore Emory Carmona said. Junior u-Hang Doan instead prefers to write poetry based on experiences throughout their life. An example is a poem by Doan named Pantone. “‘Pantone,’ the word itself, is the name of the color matching system,” Doan said. “What it’s about is colorism and growing up with East Asian beauty standards, because there’s always a pressure to have paler skin and lighter skin.” Writing poems based on personal experience can lead to a deeper meaning and depth to the lines as opposed to something observable, like nature. is can be an example of poetry therapy, which has been shown to help improve people’s mental health. “When I was a kid, I used a lot of bleaching products on myself and it stung and it didn’t work,” Doan said. “ ere was a lot of inner hatred that I grew up with, and insecurity. When I re ect on that I think of how young I was and how di cult that was to deal with at a young age.” Finding inspiration is only the beginning of the process; putting thoughts into words is the next step. e process of writing poems di ers from poet to poet. “Usually, I write them [poems] all at once, maybe a couple at a time,” junior Bugs Smith said. “I then take a break for a month or two and then I start all over again and keep writing.” While some choose this allor-nothing approach to writing, others space it out over a longer period of time. “I sit down and either jot ideas down on paper or I have a word document on my laptop,” Carmona said. “I put down everything that’s on my mind and then eventually I’ll sort it out and make it into a poem.” Famous poets can serve as inspiration by showing what can become of dedicated writers. Doan, Smith and Carmona’s favorite poets are Arpi Park, Mary Oliver and Reuben Holmes respectively. Writing and reading poetry can also improve your mood according to the National Library of Medicine. While some may not view reading Shakespeare in English class as the most exciting activity, writing poetry can be enjoyable. “I feel more productive when I write, like I got something done in a healthy way,” Smith said. “It gets you o your phone and you’re actually creating something, not just scrolling on TikTok.” Feeling productive and creative is one major bene t of writing poetry. Reading poetry can lead to things like the improvement of your mood throughout the day. “Poetry, even if it is a sad poem overall, is something that can make you feel better in a way,” Carmona said. “Being able to read a poem and understand what a person is thinking makes me feel proud and understood.”

While some choose this allor-nothing approach to writing, others space it out over a longer “I sit down and either jot ideas down on paper or I have a word document on my laptop,” Carmona said. “I put down everything that’s on my mind and then eventually I’ll sort it

something, not just scrolling on TikTok.” Feeling productive and creative is one major bene t

The Dead Rose Lives

Tending to an ill mind Like dead flowers from a past February Hoping they will heal again, But, on the contrary, my mind like a dead rose It will never again grow Now only stealing nutrients, Like the life, it, like I, myself miss from the fertile soil, home to those with life to live, More time to grow I even in death will like the roses will I even in death will like the roses will deprive those who deserve to live deprive those who deserve to live

Written by Katrell Readus

Graphics by Madelyn Lerew.