'Picture this poet
With a dream and a goal
To carve a legacy on paper
With the fire in her soul'
Picture This Poet
A primary school teacher and a mother to four little angels, this poet has her hands full as well as her heart. Whether it is my own children or the children I teach, I feel blessed to be in the presence of these little human beings who have taught me so much through their innocence, smiles and carefree nature. For this reason, I often explore the child’s voice through my writing. I believe humanity has a lot to learn if we took the time to see the world the way those tiny, twinkling eyes do and appreciate the little things in life that we so often overlook.
Why poetry?
There is something about poetry that is truly magical and full of wonder. It allows the writer to express feelings in ways that simple words and actions cannot convey. Poetry explores thoughts and emotions in the most poignant manner, making the soul feel a deep sense of fulfillment through the mere creation of words. For the reader, poetry becomes a source of light, a pool of ideas waiting to be explored and a bridge to connect a sea of emotions in order to make better sense of them. It tugs at the heartstrings; it creates that explainable lump in our throats, sometimes making us smile and cry simultaneously for reasons not known. The poet holds a powerful tool in his hands, the ability to rock the boat, break through barriers and above all to plant the seeds of change in a questioning mind. Poetry has been described as ‘the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.’ It is this beauty and elegance that blankets the words of poetry and makes it so appealing for readers of all times and places.
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What was your earliest memory of writing poetry?
My earliest memory of writing poetry was when I was about ten years old. It was a simple poem about my family; each rhyming couplet dedicated to a person. I blushed when my father told me to read it aloud. Although I cannot remember the poem, I do however remember exactly how I felt when my father beamed with pride after I had finished reciting it. It didn’t matter that my father’s English was limited and that he did not understand every word of what I had written. His warmth and encouraging words were enough to draw me to the field of writing and continue composing poetry for many years to come. Though my poetry has always been a private matter, I feel the time now is right to share it with others.
What do you do and why?
There is nothing I enjoy more than to come up with new ideas for poetry with my family. We strive to make sure every poem we write and illustrate has a deep message with the aim of uplifting and empowering the reader. I love immersing myself in the process through which our ideas turn into words and pictures and then into something creative for others to enjoy. It gives us great pleasure to share our creativity on social media and see our network of supporters grow. We are truly touched by the wonderful feedback we receive every day. Currently, we are working on turning some of our favourite pieces of poetry into art products and children’s books. Our dream is to see our books being enjoyed by all children and adults from every walk of life.
My goal is simple. If just one person can read my words and feel uplifted, supported, comforted by them, then my purpose has been fulfilled. Our world is hurting but there is so much that we can all do to heal the pain that has been inflicted upon it. Amidst the turmoil it is my hope that my poetry can serve as a source of inspiration and hope for people of all generations and walks of life. I want my words to breathe, to stir emotions, to make us ponder and inspire us to make the world a better place for generations to come.
F.Rafa 2020
