Celebrating World Poetry Day, we ask four poets to take us on a journey of their favourite poems
Saniya Mistri Qaiyumuddin. Pic Courtesy/RJ Freeky Productions
Life in verse
Favourite poem/rap: Mera bachpan mujhse cheena gaya hai and Sach, both by Saniya
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My favourite poem is Mera bachpan mujhse cheena gaya hai [My childhood has been stolen from me] which I wrote about and for the children who were forced into child labour and those who were married off at a young age. I saw many such instances around me. So, this poem is very close to my heart. Another one is Sach [truth], which is also my first rap video. When we grow up, we get to see the world beyond our textbooks. And often, what we read in our textbooks and what we see in reality, are completely different. So, I wrote about those things in Sach. I wrote both when I was 15.
Saniya Mistri Qaiyumuddin, rapper, 16, Mumbai
An image of hope
Favourite poem: Instructions on not giving up by Ada Limón and It is 1966 by K Srilata
Every time I read Limón’s poem, I encounter the vitality of spring no matter what season or frame of mind I am in. There is so much vivid imagery in the poem that I can virtually inhale the flowers in bloom. The poem’s title is a persuasive request and a powerful reminder that nature and its seasons offer us constant courage and strength in their cyclical ways: life will always move on.
In Srilata’s poem, there is so much haunting poignancy to the unfolding stories. I often read poems through the lens of a poet. But in this case, I will forever be a reader immersed in the quiet storm of narratives within it.
Priyanka Sacheti, independent writer, poet and photographer, Bengaluru
Raw beauty
Favourite poem: Home by Warsan Shire
Shire uses poetry to deal with trauma without sugarcoating it. She doesn’t say, “Because this happened to me, I am where I am today.” She tells it like it is. Her poetry is almost ugly because the imagery that she evokes is so terrifying that you need to take a step back or it makes you uncomfortable. Because a lot of poets focus on using pretty words and the correct punctuation, they forget that poetry has to accurately depict what you feel and what other people feel. Shire takes raw feelings and puts them out so beautifully but not in the way that pretties it up.
Farishte Irani, copy supervisor, 26, Mumbai
Backed by words
Favourite poem: The road not taken by Robert Frost
I have always been academically gifted so naturally, my parents wanted me to take the obvious road [engineering]. But I was inclined towards storytelling. So, I began writing stories — not the most parent-friendly career choice. Now I have four self-published books, one of which won second place in Amazon’s Pen to Publish Contest. And today, I’ve launched a book of poems called Black Book of Love with a peer, Samudrika. It all started with this poem by Frost that helped me make that bold choice. That’s the power of words and poetry.
Rafaa Dalvi, author, 30, Mumbai
What and why?
March 21 has been recognised by UNESCO as World Poetry Day since 1999 to support linguistic diversity, celebrate poetry’s oral traditions, encourage reading and writing to find expression and identity, as well as to promote dialogue and peace through the art form.
Learn to verse it out
>> Introduce young minds to the art of expression through poetry writing. Navigate through this site for printable worksheets on writing and learning poems.
Log on to: teacherspay-teachers.com (Poetry Writing Unit)
>> Explore the wealth of world literature through open-access translations of poems from across the globe, cultures and languages.
Log on to: poetryin-translation.com
>> Looking for guided help and a structured introduction to writing poems? This platform offers a range of poetry workshops for beginners.
Log on to: coursera.org/learn/poetry-workshop
>> The app offers rhyming words, dictionary and a text-to-speech feature to hear your poem recited back to you.
Log on to: Poet Assistant English (on Android and iOS)
Note: All resources are free
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