From Fiction to Poetry

The Transition from the Literary World to the Literary World:

I've dabbled in poetry before—back in 2016, to be exact. They weren't masterpieces by any stretch; mostly, they were confessional pieces circling around themes of mental health. They served a singular purpose: as an outlet for my thoughts, kept hidden away in the pages of my journal, occasionally drawing a hint of pride from me. Poetry felt like a private sanctuary, my own little world of expression. At that time, I held the belief that everyone could easily craft poetry because it seemed so...well, easy. Little did I know, I was in for a revelation.

Spoiler alert: it's not easy.

When choosing my electives for my second year of Creative Writing & Publishing, I was dead set on joining the Fiction class. After all, fiction was my comfort zone—anything beyond that, including non-fiction, felt like a stretch for me. Imagine my disappointment when I found the Fiction class brimming to capacity, leaving me with no choice but to enroll in the Poetry workshop instead. It felt like a cruel twist of fate; I had never envisioned myself as a poet. In my mind, poetry was cliché, filled with clichéd rhymes and overly romantic themes.

Then, I met Paul Vermeersch, my poetry professor—a distinguished Canadian poet with an impressive array of literary accolades. In just two weeks of his lectures, my entire perception of poetry underwent a seismic shift. Paul had a knack for weaving words together, infusing his passion for poetry into every lesson. His teachings resonated with a raw profundity that left me speechless, slowly unraveling my preconceived notions about the art form. It was a transformative experience, one that I struggle to put into words.

I had been mistaken about poetry in more ways than one. It wasn't bound by the confines of rhyme—that was my first misconception. In the thirteen weeks of poetry writing under Paul's guidance, we all developed a disdain for poets who relied on rhyme. The works of William Wordsworth became a testament to our shared frustration.

The true essence of poetry lies in its ability to challenge and provoke thought—to make you ponder every stanza and line for its deeper meaning. Take, for instance, John Milton's "Paradise Lost"—an epic poem that delves into themes of rebellion and free will with such depth that it demands careful examination of every subtle allusion.

Poetry is experimental, innovative, and complex—sometimes prose, sometimes a fragmented stanza. Poetry is an art form, and I learned that firsthand in just one semester. I developed a profound appreciation for its nuances and possibilities, finding myself drawn to it more than the chapters of my books. Crafting a poem isn't as simple as it may seem; it's a meticulous process of selecting the right words, establishing rhythm, and shaping the form to convey meaning.

Paul wasn't the only one who guided me on this journey of discovery; I owe much of my success in his class to Luigi, his former student and my mentor. Luigi shared invaluable insights into dissecting poems, from dissecting "cheap enjambments" to deciphering "purple" language. His personal teachings and poetic journey paved the way for my growth as a poet.

When I read and write poetry, I see a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds. Perhaps my initial perception of poetry mirrors that of those unfamiliar with it on a personal level—a misconception I'm eager to dispel. I'm determined to share my love for poetry with the world, to attract new readers and writers to this beautiful and deeply personal art form. With each poem I write, I hope to imbue it with the essence of my passion, inviting others to experience the beauty of poetry firsthand.