Byline: Ignacio Leon
Caption: photo credit: pixabay.com
It’s no secret that as of writing this, we all are restricted to the confines of our homes due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19. In times where confusion and restlessness run rampant, we try to distract ourselves from the harsh realities of life. Whether that be through watching Netflix, playing an instrument or video game, or enjoying a good book, it’s important to keep our minds active during these times of social distancing. But most of all, it’s important for us to engage in ways that we can continue to express ourselves. Obviously, most human interaction is out of the question, but who’s to say that words cannot act as a substitute for comfort?
Last year, I wrote a piece titled “National Poetry Month: A Literary Celebration,” where I addressed the continuing influence poetry has on society. I wrote about the ways that people who don’t read habitually can still enjoy poetry if they know where to look. Most importantly, I talked about the incredible power words can have when successfully combined into a verse. As a writer, the joy of creating a poem frees me from any worry that I may have; it is the only time when I can safely discover who I am as a person.
We all want our thoughts and feelings to be heard, even when we’re too afraid to expose ourselves to the people we love. But there’s more to writing than that. Writing poetry is not only a form of self-expression but can also act as a means for self-discovery; it can be very therapeutic. Any art form that encourages introspection can give people a unique chance to look at the world in a different way. For students looking to find a voice, poetry can be that vehicle. Whether you wanna talk about the death of a loved one or your feelings on a secret crush, poetry can help you explore those emotions.
This years’ Poetry Month will sadly be celebrated under house arrest. Perhaps for some, it can be a great time to pick up a pen and paper and to start writing. There’s no right or wrong way to express yourself, so long as you have the will to write what you feel is in your heart. As Robert Frost once wrote: “Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” What are you waiting for? I know you’ve got time to kill.
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