Poetry is a skill that cannot be forged. You either have it or don’t.  Poets are fascinating because of their natural flow of words and rhymes; they have a talent which is innate and effortless.   Society Magazine writer, EFUA HAGAN had the opportunity to interview a young talented poet, AKALIZA GARA, a natural born poet.

Q: I have come across several diverse definitions of poetry, what is your personal definition?

A: "Poetry is a way of expressing your emotions and ideas on paper. In the same way a musician play a guitar, or an artist paint a beautiful work of art, poetry too is form of self expression; it is sending out a message from a very personal viewpoint”

Q: Would you agree that poetry is a form of art?

A: "It is definitely a form of art!”  "It’s not like a report, but rather like a song that can transport you and make you feel as if you are there. A good poem can do the same thing.”

Q: So when do you write?

A: "I never know when I am going to write a poem,” "I might be taking a walk and a poem will just pop into my head! It usually happens when I’m having a bad day, but when I put down words on paper I release a whole lot of emotional baggage, I find it very therapeutic

Q: can you expound more on poetry as a form of verbal entertainment?

A: "Verbal poetry is not just about words and whether they rhyme, it has more to do with the way words are articulated. For example some words can be articulated with more emphasis to trigger various emotions.

Q: What form of poetry do you relate with most?

A: "Some poems are meant to be read, others are meant to be written. It’s like how you have black and white pictures and coloured ones, both can be very powerful in their own different ways.

A coloured picture may not be as powerful when produced as a black and white copy, yet as a coloured copy it is absolutely beautiful. It is the same for poetry”

Q: What do you hope to achieve through your poetry?

A: "My objective is to connect with people I want to help, I write for people who understand me. When you are writing poetry, it shouldn’t just be for you, at least that is the way in interpret it. Personally I do it so that somebody out there can appreciate it and be inspired and motivated. I write to relate with people, otherwise I can just write in my diary.”

Q: Would you recite one of your poems?

A: "When I wrote this poem, I was questioning my faith. I value it now because I see people who are going through the same thing, and when they appreciate it I’m really touched. Before someone can really be grateful for this poem, they must be going through what I experienced.”

Ends