Maya Angelou’s recent death captured headlines around the world. And that’s a fitting response, said Janet Watson, a poet who lives in Wesley Chapel.
“I’m so pleased that the world has paused for a moment to realize that poetry has value, and to mourn the passing of a great poet,” said Watson, a member of the New River Poets group, which meets in Wesley Chapel.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Watson believes that poetry has tremendous power, to help build understanding and connections.
She compares poetry to photography — both are capturing a moment in time.
“Everybody has a voice, has a poetic voice,” Watson said, but some people simply have never put their individual take on the world into words.
When she’s writing a poem, she uses all of her senses.
“Not just to see, but to look; not to just hear, but to listen. That’s what my poetry is about, and that’s what I admire in other poets,” said Watson, author of “Eyes Open, Listening.”
Poetry offers everyone a chance for self-expression.
“It’s all about sharing what we think and how we’re reacting in life,” Watson said.
That’s one of the reasons Watson is involved in an effort to encourage young poets. She coordinates the young poet’s contest, which is affiliated with the Florida State Poets Association.
The contest is open for middle and high school students throughout Florida. They can be home-schooled or can attend private or public schools. The aim is to encourage the reading and writing of poetry.
“It’s amazing how many young people are interested in it. Unfortunately, a lot of teachers really don’t have time to even give out the rules,” said Watson, adding she understands how busy teachers are because she worked in schools for several years.
But there are teachers who work with their students on poetry and submit their students’ work for the contest.
“A lot of teachers tell me that it’s very therapeutic (for students). Many of the teachers who are sending me work are sending me work from kids who are troubled,” Watson said. “They’re writing about death. They’re writing about divorce. They’re writing about relationships that break up. These are very young kids.”
Watson thinks that many young people are interested in poetry, but may be unaware of the state contest, which offers cash prizes and the chance to be published in an anthology.
“Young people are very much into performance poetry now. Rap is poetry,” she said.
Last year, the contest drew about 760 entries. Not a single one of those entries came from Pasco County, however, Watson said, noting she hopes that will change this year.
Watson will circulate the information about this year’s youth poetry contest in late August or early September. Contest rules also will be posted online at FloridaStatePoetsAssociation.org.
For additional information about the poetry contest or New River Poets, contact Watson at .
Published June 18, 2014
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