Poet Interview: Ritwika Maity
Ritwika Maity (she/her) is from a crowded metropolitan city where you can barely see the stars at night. She writes to paint constellations on her night sky.
When did you become a poet? How did you know it was the right medium for your stories?
I became a poet at the age of 8. It was for an assignment in school, and I remember that my teacher asked me to read my poem out in front of the class. She said she really enjoyed it, and encouraged me to keep writing. My grandfather gifted me a notebook later that month, and I've never stopped writing poetry since. A few years later, when he passed away, writing poetry made me feel closer to him and helped me deal with the grief.
The brevity, the intensity and the impact of a story shared through a good poem captivates me. Since childhood, I've loved thinking in poetry. I wouldn't have it any other way.
What inspires you to write?
I believe that life is a string of moments. We can't relive a moment in the past, even if we want to - unless we capture it. I write in an attempt to capture moments, ideas, emotions and people who have left an impact on my life. The small, everyday things inspire me to write complete, cohesive poetry. The call of a robin, the smell of old pages, or the warm sunshine during long walks often trigger memories or ideas that refuse to leave unless I write them down. Storytelling is a human art with people at the centre, and people, whether familiar or unfamiliar, remain my biggest source of inspiration.
Who are some of your literary or artistic crushes or influences?
William Wordsworth, because I admire how alive and profound his descriptions of Nature are. Rabindranath Tagore, because his writings capture emotions which are ageless and borderless. Robert Frost - I love how his poems can get as deep as the reader wants them to be. Pablo Neruda. His ability to capture the rawness of love blows my mind.
What are some common themes you see in your own work?
A lot of my poems revolve around separation, healing and self-love, mainly because they were the defining themes of my formative years. Being an introverted kid in an unconventional household has its share of challenges… No one has a perfect life, and I’m grateful for all the blessings I have and continue to receive in mine. People often have to walk away or are better off staying apart. As a child, I found this hard to grasp. It took a lot of introspection, poetry and time to understand this better. I’m a work in progress, but writing about these themes helps me get out of negative headspaces and embrace difficult emotions. I write about them because I understand now that I’m neither the first nor the last person to experience these. If even one other person can relate to me, and feel a little better, I’ll write for them.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I believe in writer's block, but it doesn't bother me too much. Creativity requires freedom, inspiration and time. I let my mind recharge, so it can be receptive to waves of creativity soon after.
I've seen that reading, relaxing and being in nature work well for me during these tough times. I try to be a hundred percent in the present because when you let yourself observe and absorb, it is easier to build the stepping stones to get over writer's block.
Do you feel that sharing your poetry is a vulnerable process?
Writing poetry is a vulnerable process. It takes a lot of emotional bandwidth to write about topics that are personal. It often involves going over experiences multiple times to write something that feels authentic. Sharing my poems lays those vulnerabilities bare for the world to see and judge. It's hard, but even if one person can relate to my poems or feel understood, it's worth it. That's why I write poetry.
Do you take poetry classes or read books on poetry?
I don't take poetry classes, but I do research on styles of poetry. Though poetry is a personal form of expression, and shouldn't have to adhere to labels, I like the freedom of choosing the structure (or lack, thereof) of my poems. I enjoy reading structurally and thematically diverse poems because it’s relaxing and fun. I’m continuously amazed at how versatile poetry is and how each poem has a personality of its own.
Do family and "real life" friends read your work, and how does that make you feel?
A lot of the honesty with which I write poetry would have to be filtered out if I were to let family and real-life friends read all my poems. Some of my poems come from a vulnerable place and feel more like diary entries that I don’t want most of my family or friends to read. However, I'm fortunate to have a couple of ‘real life’ friends and family members who provide genuine feedback and constructive criticism. It's so important for my growth as a writer, and I love and appreciate their support.
What does "good poetry" mean to you, and why?
Poetry with compelling imagery, emotion or vision leaves a mark. Some of my favourite poems are masterful combinations of all of these. Good poetry, to me, is that which leaves an aftertaste. It stays in your soul and comes to your mind months later, in the middle of the night, when you have the hardest conversations with yourself. It helps you ask difficult questions and evolve. Good poetry makes time stand still for even a few seconds.