Finding their voice in poetry
Stepping away from a potential career in Environmental Science, Maure Nava ‘never thought she would make poetry’ and had initially struggled with deciding what she should do with her life following her graduation. Now a freelance writer with a passion for poetry she says, “when I began writing poetry it became like therapy”.
‘Raw’ – a deeply personal poem she shared at an English poetry open mic event was based on a life altering accident when she was 22 which left her with injuries on her arm and leg and restricted mobility. “I was raised as a person who did things on my own and I am proud that my parents brought me up that way. So all of a sudden when you can’t move it’s intimidating and hard to accept that people have to take care of you at some point.” Maure received support from her parents and partner – “the three of them helped me heal and come out of it,” she says.
Encouraging creative minds to bring their words to life, the English poetry open mic event hosted by the Gratiaen Trust in association with the John Keells Foundation was held at the TeaTalk cafe down Park Road on May 28. Aimed at fostering creativity and collaboration among passionate poets, the event attracted some 20 poetry enthusiasts who took to the stage to share their original works. Two interactive sessions between readings offered constructive criticism and feedback.
Among the first time presenters were A’Level students Pinidi Jayasinghe and Nevindie Gunasekara. Nevindie’s poem ‘Inside the seashell’ written two years ago in the midst of the nationwide COVID lockdown discussed themes of intense longing and yearning for freedom. Pinidi’s poem ‘Humanity’ was inspired by the events of May 9 at the ‘GotaGoGama’ protest site on Galle Face Green and voiced her thoughts on corruption and injustice.
Stepping up to the mic to present items of jewellery in shades of red, black and green Samiha Anzary, an arts student explained that her poem titled ‘I watch your skies cry’ focused on justice and oppression. Before proceeding with her reading she asked listeners to venture a guess as to what country she had selected for her poem based on the jewellery. As they correctly settled on Palestine, Samiha concluded by donning a black face mask with the words ‘Fearless Future’ written on it.
All of her poetry is based on events that she had meticulously researched which occurred in Palestine to create her poem, including an impactful line which referenced twin siblings emerging from the rubble of their collapsed home to express their relief when discovering that their family pets had survived the impact.
“I’ve always wanted to be just a writer and until I came here I never thought it would be a viable career option but now I realize I can do this – we’re all connected by the spoken word.”
There were gasps from the crowd as Dr. Sureshika Piyasena, an English teacher and poet with a PhD in English from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi read from her debut collection of poetry – a poem titled ‘Little Lost Loves’ which focused on miscarriages and infant loss. During the interactive session, Sureshika explained that she compiled this collection after experiencing a miscarriage herself and subsequently reaching out to other women who had experienced the same. Little Lost Loves’ is for readers who have not personally experienced infant loss. “This is meant to be read by those who have not experienced a miscarriage or by those who cannot understand why it is so traumatic. I only hope that these poems will create more empathy and understanding,” she said.
The Gratiaen Trust will be introducing a young writers club for writers aged 16-30 in the near future, it was announced. Those interested can contact Trustee Tera Jayawardene on t.jayewardene@gmail.com
Visit the Gratiaen Trust website at www.gratiaen.com
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