Ten Minutes with Sammi Yamashiro
Sammi Yamashiro is an Okinawan and Black American poet who resides in Virginia, USA. Her poetic work revolves around her personal hardships and overcoming them. Several of her poems have been published in anthologies. Her first collection, The Peach Pit Mask, will be available soon. You can find her work on Instagram @sammiyamashiro.
When did you become a poet? How did you know it was the right medium for your stories?
I began expressing myself through poetry at age fifteen, when I lived in an emotionally abusive household. Before that, I mainly drew portraits of original characters, but I discontinued that hobby upon realizing that drawing as my main form of self-expression no longer served me. Writing was a more direct medium, as I longed for someone or something out there to hear my suppressed voice. I felt that drawing could not display that voice for me.
What inspires you to write?
Knowing that my work can alleviate my own tumult. Hoping that my work can do the same for others. That's what makes my life worth living, to be totally upfront.
Who are some of your literary or artistic crushes or influences?
I adore this question, as I draw inspiration from many people. My style is influenced by Tori Amos' songwriting. To this day, I've never seen a singer write as freely and unapologetically as she does. She's quite confessional (but at times cryptic) with her work, and I've subconsciously incorporated her approach to her craft with my own work. I also tend to write after pieces for songs that resonate with me. Some examples include songs by Sevdaliza and No Doubt. Poets I take after are Sylvia Plath (whose brutal imagery I heavily admire), Walt Whitman, Rainer Maria Rilke, and many others.
What are you currently reading?
I haven’t been able to concentrate on anything that isn’t poetry, so the last book I finished was Lana Del Rey’s poetry book, which was an enjoyable read and had themes that I could personally relate to.
Tag three of your favourite IG poets we should read:
@words.and.imaginations @lostthingspoetry @virgomoonpoetry
(I love so many poets’ work! It’s difficult to name only three.)
How do you beat writer's block?
Letting the piece come to me, versus the other way around. Though sometimes, just writing down my naked, unfiltered thoughts as they come to mind manifests itself into a poem. Also, reminding myself that birthing poems isn't a constant necessity. I can still title myself a poet and not be writing all the time; that affirmation relieves the pressure off me.
Do you feel that sharing your poetry is a vulnerable process?
At first, it was extremely frightening to share my work online. When my page grew momentum, that was the scariest part. It caused extreme anxiety. No one was mean to me or anything, but as I hadn't shown many people my poetry years before that, it was freaky to go from mainly myself finding reassurance in my work to suddenly hundreds having something to say about it (even if it was positive). I usually write from personal experiences, so it's always unnerving to share it with anyone, but over time I've seen the community I've shared it with to be mostly supportive and welcoming, so it's not as intimidating to share my work nowadays.
What/who influenced you to become a poet?
The poet who had me love poetry was Erin Hanson. I actually disliked poetry before I found her work on Pinterest, and her words saved me from a suicide attempt when I was thirteen. Two years later, I decided to write out my truth, as she had.
Do family and "real life" friends read your work?
Certain friends do, but I've received unhelpful criticism from some, so I am much pickier about my real-life audience, haha. My family knows I write, but they haven't read much of my poems, as I do tend to write about them.
How many finished books do you have?
Currently, one! It hasn’t been released yet, but it’s finished.
What does "good poetry" mean to you?
If it speaks to your heart, it's good poetry. If it speaks to the hearts of others, it's good poetry. Strong diction, creative metaphors, and well-thought-out devices enrich a poem, but the root of poetry is to resonate, and if it does not do that, then it needs to be better. I have my opinions on whom I think writes good poetry, but it's merely what I think. If it doesn't speak to me, then fine; it just needs to speak to someone.