A Poetess, I? | Teen Ink

A Poetess, I?

January 16, 2013
By SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel


One fine evening, I heard
A statement quite absurd.

Yes, if with literary standards you judge
Would seem insane, yet he wouldn’t budge.

He alleged, that leafy friend of mine:
“As a poetess, you shall surely shine!”
I replied so with all my logic straight,
That for a mo, “Utter Silence” was his state.
And this is how went my retort:
‘Should a verse be long or short
No idea whatsoever, have I;
I’m just a girl admiring the sky.
A few right rhymes did once I get,
Was it fluke or failure, with which I met?
Of kinds of poems ¬– I know not a single word!
Just wrote down my thoughts about that little bird.
Then why do you so proudly proclaim
That as a poetess, I’d have fame?’

But then after, I was amazed to see,
He had an answer ready for me.
Those singular words as he uttered,
A butterfly, by my shoulder, fluttered.

It all left me speechless, here’s what he told:
‘The answer your own questions hold.
I don’t think a poetess is tried,
With all the stuff that you implied.
But is one who knows without knowing
What words are, from pen to paper flowing.
Penning down thoughts to her is bliss;
If from inspiration springs, true poetry ’tis!
That’s why I say, a poetess thee
Let this matter settle can surely be.’

Now I write, turns out he didn’t lie;
For ain’t a progressing poetess, I?


The author's comments:
Once whilst admiring other people's work, I started feeling pretty down myself, saying my own work is no good at all. Then my inner voice knocked come sense into me and taught me the true meaning of being a poetess. I hope you all truly understand it like I did...Love always. Have fun reading!

Similar Articles

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 20 comments.


on Jun. 23 2013 at 5:02 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

Wow, thank You! And well, I do so love to use archaic word forms... I feel they let poetry flow so much easily.. Thank You so much for reading and for the feedback. 

on Jun. 21 2013 at 9:09 pm
WrenArrington, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
0 articles 0 photos 74 comments
Wow, I love the way you arranged your sentences, and your rhyme scheme flowed very nicely--it didn't seem forced at all, almost like you just accidentally used rhyming words. The whole thing had an old-fashioned feel to it. I like how you explore the true meaning of being a poet in an almost dream-like way. Five stars, definitely.

on Jun. 19 2013 at 12:09 am
Hamzawaseem GOLD, Lahore, Other
15 articles 1 photo 144 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The important thing is not to stop questioning." ~Einstein

Exactly! That's the advantage of feedback. You get to see your work from different perspectives

on May. 25 2013 at 5:55 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

Ah, don't be ! Because all this last month I haven't been here either and your comments on my stuff are such an amazing welcome back present :D I was busy with exams too.. And now that the school year is over I have more time for TI too......   I am glad that you enjoyed it. This poem means a lot to me. Because of those exact reasons that you pointed out.    And well you're rightI haven't tried much free verse...But I do intend to.  And well "What She's Worth" And "See through the raindrops" are purely free verse. Those are pretty recent compared to this one so you'll be able to tell me if I've improved at all (If you get around to reading them) Also as I've been exploring the world of Haiku I haven't written much other type of poetry ever since January... Do you like Haiku? I think it's very difficult to get right but astonishingly expressive! Was quite some bold decleration, wasn't it? I'm so happy that you think I'll go far. Cause I do intend to. Thank you ever so much for reading!

on May. 15 2013 at 3:20 pm
Thesilentraven PLATINUM, Mableton, Georgia
40 articles 2 photos 1632 comments

Favorite Quote:
"il piu nell' uno," (according to Emerson, an Italian expression for beauty)

"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality" ~Emily Dickinson

"The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain"
~Kahlil Gibran

I meant, I think, by your desire... :)

on May. 15 2013 at 3:19 pm
Thesilentraven PLATINUM, Mableton, Georgia
40 articles 2 photos 1632 comments

Favorite Quote:
"il piu nell' uno," (according to Emerson, an Italian expression for beauty)

"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality" ~Emily Dickinson

"The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain"
~Kahlil Gibran

Poor poetess, I've really been lazy with my promise to you, haven't I? But now that the school year's over, I'm back again! I really did enjoy reading "A Poetess, I?" for its whimsical wording and fearless optimism. To become a good poet, it is important that you acknowledge yourself to be a poet, and you did that in such an honest, pretty way! But I would also suggest that you work on the flow of your poetry--which is disrupted, I think, but your desire to always have a perfect rhyme. Without having read your other work, have you tried free verse? But, in terms of what you're saying here, it's wonderful to watch your self-confidence unfold, and to hear your eventually bold declaration. I wish you the best on your literary endeavors--it's a long and twisting road, but you'll go far!

on May. 5 2013 at 4:59 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

Hmmm..okay Now I get it...... at least some of it...did a little research and well at least I know the basic concept now...Thanks!

on Apr. 24 2013 at 5:31 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

Thank you for your feedback and your time, the time you took to read this. I am overjoyed, truly! :)) But truth be told I don't really know much about the technicallities of poetry...would love to though so I couldn't quite grasp that properly,...maybe could you please explain it more..please....I'm so sorry to bug you like this but "writing Thank You for your amazing advice" would be meaningless if in reality I couldn't actually get that advice...you get me right?  :D hahaha...that's what happens when you do something without learning about it first... LOL....me and poetry just go along without a split second's consideration... :P

on Apr. 24 2013 at 5:05 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

Oh yes, Iqbal used to write in dialogue form a lot..I wonder why I never noticed that until you pointed it out...:D :D

on Apr. 24 2013 at 5:03 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

Oh Thank you ever so much! 

on Apr. 23 2013 at 3:20 am
PriyaModi BRONZE, Indore, Other
1 article 7 photos 23 comments

Favorite Quote:
I like the way i am,need no transformation,,,LOVE LIFE.

It is fantastic....the way u frameded words are awesome enough..admirable writing..keep it up .:D  

on Apr. 23 2013 at 3:19 am
LiraDaeris PLATINUM, Tucson, Arizona
22 articles 0 photos 135 comments

Favorite Quote:
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Great idea, wonderful presentation, only recommendation would be to iron out the flow. The main kicker is with multi-syllable words. With these, work the stressed syllable to be on the stressed foot of the meter, which is more so icing on top of a cake to have (But who doesn't like frosting?) Other than that, fantastic job on this.

on Apr. 23 2013 at 3:11 am
Hamzawaseem GOLD, Lahore, Other
15 articles 1 photo 144 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The important thing is not to stop questioning." ~Einstein

The dialogue within the poem kinda reminded me of Iqbal's poems. anyways, this poem deserves a place in the print magazine... Yes! It's a great feeling to find a "humwatan" here. I've got goosebumps already!!! I bet your condition is the same. Thanks for the interaction. Hope to chat with you sometime...

on Apr. 22 2013 at 2:40 pm
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

I'm so glad you like it...

on Apr. 22 2013 at 2:38 pm
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

OH Thank You so much for reading! How did it remind you of Iqbal? Just curious.. :P ..Oh Wow really, it seems kind of preposterous to me..."glorious fame" that sounds weird, nice but kinda weird, you know..... Hmm...writing?...ever since I can remember...Poetry? Three years maybe more...I found out about your work when a TI friend of mine commented on it...Then I liked it plus, can't you imagine the joy of finding a fellowcountryman here? :D

on Apr. 22 2013 at 2:38 pm
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

OH Thank You so much for reading! How did it remind you of Iqbal? Just curious.. :P ..Oh Wow really, it seems kind of preposterous to me..."glorious fame" that sounds weird, nice but kinda weird, you know..... Hmm...writing?...ever since I can remember...Poetry? Three years maybe more...I found out about your work when a TI friend of mine commented on it...Then I liked it plus, can't you imagine the joy of finding a fellowcountryman here? :D

on Apr. 22 2013 at 3:07 am
Hamzawaseem GOLD, Lahore, Other
15 articles 1 photo 144 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The important thing is not to stop questioning." ~Einstein

Aha! I can very well relate to it. I loved your writing style here. It reminded me of Iqbal's poems. And your friend was right. You'll In shaa Allah, enjoy a glorious fame. How long have you been writing? Miss Poetess!

on Feb. 18 2013 at 11:05 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

Oh and your username is unique..I like it. :D

on Feb. 18 2013 at 11:04 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou
When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn’t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out
The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay
If love produced a blossom/I’d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I’d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven
And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

Yea, I think..you wrote the one "I am not" with a tiny bit of a simliar theme though yours ends with saying that how you are not a poet and mine ends with saying that I am a progressing poet,...anyway to yours I wanted to say this too: "There are many different kinds of poets. Yours is a unique kind too.." And thank you for the feedback..Thank You! <3 I hoped someone might relate...

on Feb. 17 2013 at 12:41 pm
StarlitSunrise DIAMOND, Clemmons, North Carolina
56 articles 0 photos 253 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing." ~Camille Pissarro

  I was drawn to this by the title, and then pleasantly surprised by the content of the poem! You have a very unique writing style.  I like the way you say things in a different way than they normally would be. For example, I loved the lines “But is one who knows without knowing What words are, from pen to paper flowing.” The meaning of the poem rang true with me. You have a lot of insight. :)