I remember finding a quote in a book and feeling an instant urge to write it down. My very first poem was about Medusa, inspired by Greek mythology. As I grew older, however, my writing began to change. My poems gradually moved away from ancient myths and towards my own thoughts and feelings. I started weaving words together, hiding deeper meanings between the lines. Perhaps that was when I truly began to understand the art of poetry.
I was around seven years old when I discovered the power of imagination. At that age, I could not read English very well, and writing it was certainly not my strongest skill either. It might seem surprising, especially because I could speak the language quite well. In Grade 1, we used colourful, picture-filled books. As I turned their pages, I often found myself looking at the illustrations rather than the words. The letters seemed like strange shapes that I could not yet understand, so I relied on my imagination to make sense of the pictures. I would look at an illustration and create an entirely new story in my mind. Without even realising it, I was already learning to tell stories in my own way.
Throughout my life, I have often been told that I have too many opinions. It is a label that has shaped the way I see myself and the way I express my thoughts. For a long time, I felt that I needed to take up less space, speak less freely, and make myself easier for others to like. Yet, deep down, all I wanted was to be myself without feeling the need to apologies for it.
The first poem I wrote about my own feelings was a free-verse piece about this very struggle. Unlike my earlier poems inspired by mythology, this one came from a much more personal place. It gave me a way to express feelings that I had often struggled to put into words. Through writing, I began to understand myself better. I learned to accept the parts of me that others might not always appreciate, as well as the qualities I had once disliked in myself. Poetry became more than a creative outlet; it became a safe space where I could explore my identity and learn to embrace it.
I believe self-love is one of the most important things we can develop. We often forget to show ourselves the same kindness and understanding that we offer others. Life can be challenging, and we are all learning as we go. After all, this is everyone’s first time living. We make mistakes, experience difficult emotions, and discover new things about ourselves along the way. We deserve to give ourselves a little grace. For me, poetry became a path towards that grace, helping me find acceptance in my imperfections and the courage to appreciate who I am.
Writing has also opened doors that I never expected. After submitting a sample of my work, I was selected, along with other writers, through a TWS Publications competition to have my pieces published in an anthology. I found myself in a room surrounded by writers who were older and more experienced than I was. I was the youngest person there, and at first, that felt overwhelming. However, I was welcomed warmly and had the opportunity to form wonderful friendships and learn from inspiring mentors. The experience reminded me that creativity has no age limit and that our voices deserve to be heard, no matter where we begin.
I still remember the rush of submitting my final document for publication just twenty minutes before the deadline. After all the writing, revising, and reflecting, I had finally taken that step. Looking back, it feels like the beginning of a new chapter in my journey as a writer.
From a seven-year-old creating stories from pictures to a young writer discovering the meaning behind her own words, my journey has been shaped by imagination, self-expression, and the courage to be honest with myself. My writing may have started with Greek mythology, but it eventually became a way to understand my own story.
Perhaps that is the beauty of ink: it allows us to give shape to thoughts we cannot always say aloud. Sometimes, a poem does more than tell a story. It helps us discover who we are, accept who we have been, and find the confidence to become who we want to be.
And if there is one thing my journey has taught me, it is this: never be afraid to use your voice. Your words may become the very thing that helps you find yourself.
Written by: Anaya Ali Shah – 6B