In a world often overwhelmed by the noise of everyday life, Wingedpen emerges as a beacon of hope and healing through the power of poetry. Founded by a self-taught poet who discovered her voice amidst the whirlwind of law school, Wingedpen embodies a journey of self-discovery and artistic expression. With each poem, the founder seeks to uplift, heal, and connect with others on a deeply personal level, offering a sanctuary where emotions can be felt, understood, and transformed. As Wingedpen continues to soar, its mission remains clear: to touch hearts, foster positivity, and remind us all of the beauty in vulnerability and self-love.
1. What inspired you to create Wingedpen and how does it reflect your personal journey and values?
I was in the last semester of law school when I had my first poem published in a prestigious journal. I am completely self-taught, so it felt like an achievement, which gave me the courage to share my poems publically, and so Wingedpen was born.
My purpose behind sharing my work is to heal people, fill them with positivity, and be someone who understands, sees, and accepts everyone for who they are. There has been nothing else that I have wanted more but to see good hearts feel something positive after reading my poems. 2. How do you use poetry as a tool for healing and expressing self-love and positivity?
I think art in any form (literary, visual, or performing) is capable of not just healing but completely transforming human beings. No other medicine in the world can make you feel certain emotions that require a release for your blocks to clear and body to heal. Feeling is healing and art is one way to do it.
So, before writing or posting a poem, I connect with my breath and imagine the best possible outcome for anyone who reads it, including myself, and it has done wonders for me, the most magnificent being falling in love with my existence.
Can you share the story behind your poetry handle, Wingedpen, and what it signifies for you?
During my last year in college, I really trusted some friends and they let me down in a way that affected my emotional and mental health.
Slowly, I realised that it wasn’t just one incident that had affected me but a string of unprocessed emotions from several years that had finally come to the surface. I knew I had to find a way to process and release them. So, one day, amid the whirlwind of emotions, I picked up a pen and paper and wrote exactly how I felt. I wrote it again and again and one night, a beautiful poem was created out of it.
I had never felt connected to an art form before, and I can honestly say, that was the night I truly became a poet. A month later, my work was published in a prestigious journal for the first time and soon, Wingedpen was born. It literally signifies a pen with wings because that’s how I feel when writing poems – I fly beyond the limit of the sky! And I feel my best when my readers tell me how they feel seen and appreciated after reading my work.
What challenges have you faced in using poetry as a means of healing, both personally and in sharing it with others?
I can honestly say self doubt. Growing up, I had never learned the power of self confidence and believing in my own unique self. There were friends and family members who made me feel like my opinions were not important, even made me feel invisible. I kind of internalized this feeling that my thoughts and opinions weren’t important when it was never true.
It was only during the end of my college that all the suppressed thoughts and emotions came to the surface. It is around this time that I truly understood the value of self-confidence, acceptance, belief, and most importantly, respecting myself.
However, I still doubt myself many times before sharing my poems. I want to meet people, perform on stage, become a successful spoken word artist but I am so scared of being seen and judged but I am not giving up on it.
How does writing poetry help you navigate and manage your mental health?
I think sometimes we allow outside experiences to hurt us and that’s okay. It’s only human and sometimes, there is nothing we can do about it. However, we must find a way to feel and release stuck emotions, especially those hindering our growth.
Poetry allows me to feel those emotions, find something positive in the experience, and create poetry out of it. In this way, I can let go of the bitterness or sadness and come back to the flow state. I still struggle with being a sensitive soul in a world that runs on ego, but I have promised myself to not give up on myself, even if my growth is slow.
Can you discuss a particular poem or piece that holds special significance for you and why?
I think it’s a micro poem titled Rise Again which I had written while waiting for the sunrise on a hilltop. As the first rays of the sun touched my forehead, I had this sudden urge to pick up a pen and paper, and this is how this poem came to life.
It goes like this –
Swallow the sunlight
and
let its shine
reek out of your skin
tenderly
dropping the hints
of how strong your bones
have become.
This little poem won a poetry competition organised by the Tulsa Community of Writers and was showcased in Tulsa a few years back. It was also published in one of the issues of their literary magazine.
How do you stay motivated and inspired to write and share your poetry?
I know if not millions, there is at least one person out there who waits for me to post a poem everyday or week, and that’s how I stay inspired. As long as even one person reads my poem, I’ll continue writing whatever little I know about emotions and the power of self love and a positive mind.
What advice would you give to other women who want to use creative writing as a form of self-expression or healing?
Do not let self doubt or fear of being not enough stop you from pursuing writing. Also, people will tell you what is possible in life based on their beliefs and mindset. Please, set your own possibilities and understanding of what you can or cannot achieve. Trust me, as a woman, you can achieve anything you set your heart on.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of sharing your poetry with others?
It’s an inbox full of love, appreciation, and blessings from those who read and support my work. I have every single message saved in a folder on my laptop. I am profoundly grateful for it all.
How do you handle criticism or negative feedback about your work?
I only focus on writing what I feel at the moment. It has nothing to do with how others perceive it and everything to do with how honest I am with my work. However, I am always open to constructive criticism from my readers.
How do you envision the future of Wingedpen and your poetry?
I plan to publish my debut collection soon. I also want to perform spoken word on stage for my readers.
Can you share any personal experiences that have significantly influenced your writing and creative process?
I think it was my inner rebel that wanted to be successful as a poet since most people around me believe that art or poetry can’t take you far in life. Even my maths teacher once caught me writing poems in the class and claimed that poetry won’t take me anywhere. So, I will always work hard to reach my highest potential as a poet, slowly but surely.
What role does community and connection play in your creative journey?
The biggest role that community and connection has played in my journey is to provide a sense of belonging. From someone who couldn’t fit in the crowd during her younger days, I finally got a sense of connection with my readers and fellow artists. I love connecting with my Wingedpen fam as we discuss art, ideas, and ways to promote community growth and connection.
What message or impact do you hope your poetry has on your readers and the broader community?
I wish to heal more hearts than this cruel world will ever be able to break. I want to remind good and kind people to keep going because they deserve nothing but the best things in life. At the end of the day, I simply wish for everyone to feel good after reading my poems.
IG: @wingedpen
