Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?
The theme of my poem is self-awareness and transformation.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?
My daily struggles in life are what motivated me to write this poem. I struggled with substance abuse at one point in my life to cope with the pain I was dealing with while in a toxic relationship. It seemed like no matter what, I could never escape the pain until I called out to the Higher Power and put the bad habits to rest.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?
I have been writing poetry since about 4th Grade. I almost feel like I was born to write.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
If I could have dinner with one person, I would sit down with Thales of Miletus. He was the first known Greek philosopher, scientist, and mathematician.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I have chosen to have my poem performed by a professional actor so that I can have an audience. I have always wanted to help others going through similar situations. I want to be heard and be able to heal the world, even if just a little smudge. Having my poetry on a platform where others can find me is all I need.

6) Do you write other works? Scripts? Short Stories? Etc..
Yes, I do write other works. I am currently a student at Full Sail University, studying for my bachelor’s degree in creative writing & communications. I have worked on many short stories and a few scripts. My assignment for this month requires me to create a comic book and script to go along with it. I have also created short films and commercial videos while taking these classes. Music is something that I turn to for a hobby and to feel good. Ever since I was a little girl, I have always written songs that helped express my emotions.

7) What is your passion in life?
My passion in life is to write. I write and read every single day. I love writing and creating ideas so much that I can’t see myself doing anything else aside from writing and touching the lives of others.

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?
The poem is a message for my nieces and all those who will be left behind after I’m gone.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?
After the death of my parents I struggled a lot with different questions, many conflicting feelings, including guilt for what I might have done wrong, regret for not having done more, the what ifs questions (what If I did this or that maybe they’d be alive). I think it’s common and natural feelings we have to go through in our losses. The poem is an intent to alleviate the pain , or to say the unsaid things if there will be no chance to say them. We never know how and when we die, we do not always get the chance to say goodbye, death rarely is like it’s depicted in the movies: with everyone gathered on our deathbed and everyone getting closure and moving on easily with their lives. I see this poem as an attempt to provide closure, or rather, to say goodbye to those I love, to those who’ll remain to deal with the aftermath of my death.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?
I started writing poetry recently, since August 2024. It was more than a year after my mom (and second parent) died, and the words just came pouring in.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
My parents

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?
I was curious on how my poem wil sound, what feelings it will wake up in me. Maybe it was also an attempt to leave something behind, a trace of my name, my work, of my pain and loss. I felt I needed the world to know.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?
I recently started writing non-fiction essays/stories, focused on the stories of my parents’ death. I am playing with the idea of writing fiction, but I’m not there yet.

7) What is your passion in life?
I love aerial gymnastics or dancing: the aerial hoop, silks, aerial straps, hammock and pole. I love creating beautiful choreographies which express the way I feel. Like poetry, I found dancing a powerful outlet for sharing my inner world, my feelings and thoughts.

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of this poem is showing a view of the political landscape.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

I wanted to express my uncomfortable feelings about the recent election in America. The golden toilet has become a cliche but also an easily recognizable symbol.

3) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

I would want to see my old poetry teacher, Ed Dorn, again.

4) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

What an interesting concept, I thought!

5) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I write poems and have written stories and book reviews.

6) What is your passion in life?

Right now, I take care of my mother who has dementia. I am fully dedicated to caring for her and enjoy this time with her.

http://www.lisakhan.com

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

Initially Mother Natures, I wrote it in 2021. Then I realized all true Mothers nurture – it’s what Mothers do.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

I love nature & the warm it offers.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

Since I was 12 years old.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

David Bowie.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I wanted to hear how someone else interpreted its flow.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

Not yet, I thought about it. I use to have my own column in a Newspaper. I have just 2 poetry/quote books at the moment published.

7) What is your passion in life?

Caring for others. I love humans & writing of course.

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

For most of my life, I grew up feeling like I had to live the life my father, who died when I was 9 years old, didn’t get to live. Now I feel like it is time to live the life I wanted for myself.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

The motivation came from the idea my life is my own now and I’ve written many poems about him and my inability to measure up to the life he should have had if he lived. Now that I’m putting down the torch and picking up my own torch, it was time to capture that in a poem.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I’ve been writing since I was in high school. I call that time in my life my teen angst death poetry era. However, being published has been since I was about 19.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Abraham Lincoln is who I’d like to have dinner with. I’ve been in awe of him since I was 15 years old and I’d like to get to know the real him. Not the Lincoln who has been filtered through the lens of history and hero worship, but the real one.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I teach a poetry class and I tell my students you will always get more insight into your work when another person reads it.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I’ve written plays, short stories, poems and creative nonfiction.

7) What is your passion in life?

I’m currently in the Gilder Lehrman Institute at Gettysburg College pursuing a MA in American History. Education and American History, along with writing have been my passions in life.

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

The Theme of the poem is about how a person is fighting with something whether it is physical or mental, but hopefully they can find the courage within to face those problems head on even though it may be difficult but use those past memories good or bad to come out on top and never have to fight it again.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

Hmm this one is a bit tougher just do to the fact that it started off as way to get things off of my chest and get me out of my own head.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

Haha I have only been writing since October 23rd 2024.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Damn out of every one dead/alive it would have to be my brother I do miss him but would love to just catch back up and talk about how life is going/

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

Well it started off as a promise that I would submit my poems and share them with people and that is one promise I intend on keeping and if they help people along the way then great.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

Nope only just started with poetry but who know I might give short scripts a try.

7) What is your passion in life?

Hahaha what I’m passionate about well obviously sharing some of my poems about the troubles or hardships that I’ve had is one but honestly I’m a simple person, so work, my peace of mind, and more than will not fit in this part.

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?
I think the biggest theme is being present in the now. Feeling connected to the universe, understanding that life can be made of opposing forces, and just being grateful, especially in fleeting moments.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?
I went through some personal things last year. In June, I witnessed four sun showers alone. One at my parents’ house and three at mine. I made it a point to take photos and just appreciate being able to witness them. It’s easy to get caught up in life’s daily routines/distractions. I’ve seen them before but never really stopped to enjoy them. Seeing so many in one month alone felt like a message from the universe. They felt like small breaks from whatever I was going through. Just prior to 2025 coming around, I felt as if my creativity was starting to return. I’ve written things that deal with heartbreak, grief, etc. but I also wanted to write something positive, something that captures the little things we often take for granted.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?
2010 was the year I finally wrote a poem I was truly satisfied with. I tried my hand at it previously but nothing I wrote ever came out the way I wanted it to. Crazy to think that particular poem took 13 years to find a home.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Since I answered with Jorge Luis Borges last time, let’s go with Anthony Bourdain this time.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?
I read my poetry out loud during the creative process and after I’ve finished but it’s nice to hear the final product being read from someone else’s perspective. I’ve tried those free to use text-to-speech websites but they’re pretty awful. It just made sense to me to have a professional read it. Besides, I think it’s a neat idea and it seemed like a good way to gain more exposure.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?
I’ve written some short stories and a few one-act plays. I’ll continue writing poems but this year I’d like to revisit the plays I already wrote and see how I can polish them up so they can be sent out again. I also want to start working on the ones I’ve been brainstorming for some time now. In terms of possibilities, I’m excited to see what 2025 has in store.

7) What is your passion in life?
Nowadays? Creating my own happiness, doing things that make me feel fulfilled. Life can beat you down if you’re not careful. Self-love and self-care is important!

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of my poem is that sometimes we are so busy trying to get where we are going we forget to enjoy the moment

2. What motivated you to write this poem?

I am always inspired by natures, mountains, and climbing.

3. How long have you been writing poetry?

I have been writing poetry since high school.

4. If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be?

I would love to have dinner with Shakespeare, one of the most famous playrights and authors. His work is still studied, and made into various plays and movies to this day. He gave us some common phrases we still use and famous quotes. To be or not to be? Boil, bubble, toil and trouble. It would be fun to see and hear him in person and find out where his inspiration and ideas come from.

5. What influenced you to submit your poetry to be a read by a professional?

Poetry is meant to be read and listened to. I am wanted to share my poem with others in the way it was meant to be, to encourage listeners and others with my words.

6. Do you write other works?

Yes, I have a middle school fantasy series the Dream Walker land Of Mystica Series along with short stories, poetry however is my passion.

7. What is your passion?

Writing, crafts, and spending time with my family and outdoors are my passions.

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?
Insanity! I wanted to convey that feeling when you’re in bed at night and your mind is playing tricks on you because you’ve just watched the scariest movie you’ve ever seen in your life.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?
I thought this festival was a really fun opportunity to write horror poetry, which is not a genre you see requested very often.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?
About five years.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Ooh, good question! Probably Mary Shelley. Frankenstein is my favorite book.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?
I could hear it in my head as I wrote it, which does make me sound a little crazy, I know. But I thought it would translate really well to audio format.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?
I do! I write short stories, screenplays and plays, and I’m working on a novel now. Mostly I write in the horror genre.

7) What is your passion in life?
Writing

1) What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of my poem is mortality

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

Turning fifty and realizing that most of my life is over motivated me to write this poem

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I have been writing poetry on and off for thirty years however over the last two years I have been more prolific as I didn’t write much during the period of my life when my children were younger as I had less time to devote to writing.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

If I could have dinner with one person it would be Axl Rose the lead singer of the rock band Guns N Roses as I have been a huge fan of his work since I was about twelve years old and would love the opportunity to learn more about his creative process.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I wanted to have my poem performed by a professional actor because I thought it would be interesting to hear my work performed by someone else and to have it interpreted in a different way other than just on the page.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

Yes I have other works, I have many other poems and a few short stories

7) What is your passion in life?

My passion in life is writing