Kimberly O'Connor

I was lucky enough to get to work with 14 amazing creative writers at Community College of Denver this semester. For their final portfolio, they have to respond to this question:

Considering what you know about poetry and prose, explain the value of human expression. Why do we–humans–create literary art?

This is not a question I came up with, but one every section of creative writing students are asked to answer. I paused when I first saw it, because it is a big question! I don’t think it’s one I would have necessarily thought to ask my students. This week, as I read my students’ portfolios, I loved how they approached this question. Their answers were so amazing that I stole a line or two from each of their essays and turned them into this found poem.

To my students: thank you so much! I have learned from each of you. Thank you for letting me steal your words for this group poem. Keep writing!

WHY I WRITE

When my miserable reality drags me by the ankles, 

I have so many ideas 

I can’t fit them all in.

I let walls my down;

I am less afraid to open up.

I learn to write write write

a secret language between me, myself, and I

that only I will ever know.

There is no right or wrong way to be a writer.

I think that is extremely magical.

I no longer feel afraid 

to write down the emotions going wild in me.

What comes next for me is more of my creative self, 

the pure necessity of creation. 

I don’t have to fight my creative genius,

a thought can just sweep me away.

How juicy! 

Narration keeps me sane.

I bask in stories.

I daydream on paper.

I am free.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash