Would You Recognize Your Writer’s Voice in Your Earliest Works?

Here are two pieces that show a writer’s voice develops early.

I’m pretty fascinated with the evolution of talent. When does one first begin to develop as a writer? What if this natural talent is nurtured, shaped, and encouraged? Would those first glimpses of talent become something miraculous and world-changing?

I think, with the right guidance and encouragement, children can connect with their own inner talents, feel more confident, and likely feel more purpose in their lives, early on, while these important mental constructs are developing.

Today, I’ll be sharing with you my two earliest poems that I have and how my talents were nurtured — and by who — and how they were undermined, even by well-meaning people. To demonstrate how you, as a parent, a teacher, a family member or a friend to a child, can be that one person who instills confidence in their raw talents.

The Early Work

This first piece was written when I was in high school. It’s a little simple-minded, but the early eye for balance, rhyme, and rhythm are clear. I like to dedicate this poem, when I do share it, in this way: Written before my children were born. I knew I loved you, even then. This is for my boys.

You

You are a Morning Glory bringing a little beauty into each new day that life may bring.

You are my purple skies when the setting sun touches the horizon when day is done.

You are my starlight in the heavens above you are my silent night you are my love.

(1990)

According to the year that this poem was written, I was 16. I didn’t really use a lot of punctuation, but you can see I was influenced by nursery rhymes and the traditional quatrain form. I think it was published in my high school’s literary magazine, but I can’t be for certain.

One year later, and many journal entries later, I developed a different style, one that I still use very much to this day. This one involves tercets in more of an open free-verse style.

At the age of 17, this poem was written — without a single thought of publication. Decades later, unchanged, this poem appeared in my second collection of poems. To this day, I still write a lot about the sea.

Suspended Sunset

Sly, red-orange arrows shoot out across almost empty sky.

Sun peeks over horizon lingering there delaying its departure, why?

Do you not have someplace of equal beauty to touch with warmth, renewal?

A lonely Ring-billed Gull shrieks in protest and snatches one last delicacy.

Waves roll white-tipped scooping sand, pulling back into itself, whispering secrets into cream-colored conchs.

Perhaps a good night to the lingering orb as she pulls herself down and beyond stringing her colors behind her.

Red-orange bleeds into plum plum fades to gray your fingertips withdrawn once more

to leave us to the night to stars that beckon dreamers and moon that lulls the sea.

(1991)

Who Encouraged Me?

I’m not going to say these are the best poems ever written, but amongst my peers, the talent shown in these two poems did stand out. I’m not sure my teenage 80’s rocker self showed them to too many people (I mean, I had a tough reputation to uphold) but for those who saw my work, I remember some clear encouragement.

For the most part, this came from teachers — teachers who told me I should never stop writing.

Middle school teachers. High school teachers. And then, later on, college professors. These folks kept my spark of talent ignited — and encouraged me to learn more about my craft. I published in a few more school journals and even won an award for my writing in 2004. For these angel teachers — I am truly grateful.

There were also some naysayers.

— What do you want to be when you grow up?

— A writer!

— But you’ll need a career that will make you money. — How will you ever make money doing that? — I meant — as a job. — What on earth will you do with that!? — But you need a college degree. And a real job.

I’m grateful that in spite of these negative comments, which took up a huge space in my mind for a very long time, there were many kind voices who tried to encourage me. I am sad, however, that it took so many years for the good voices to win.

I wonder, had I been able to get with the right mentors, the right support, and have some nurturing voices that helped to teach me even more — where would this have led my poetic voice? What if there’d been a novelist out there who could have helped me learn? What if my work had been recognized earlier — publically? Would this have helped my roaring insecurities and self-loathing? May I have felt — more purpose?

I encourage you to think of these things and the children you know in your life. How you can help to nurture and help them feel confident in their own talents.

When You See Talent in a Child

Take notice.

Be honest.

When you see a child demonstrate talent, skill, or hard work to learn something new — encourage them.

Don’t tell them lies or fill them with puffery — just tell them that they seem to have a talent there and they should be confident in exploring it.

Offer your continued encouragement.

Maybe help them to get some resources or support.

And, don’t tell them their talent is not important or too stupid or not worthy of their time — this is not your place to destroy their passions or dreams.

As a writer/artist/poet (etc.) do you have some pieces of your earliest works? Why not share them? Celebrate those first glimpses into who you really were even at a young age!

Here I am, decades later: a full-time writer and poet.

Hey mom, I did it.

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