Dear Poet
by Eden Shimunova and David Correa, Seniors, iPreparatory Academy
by Eden Shimunova and David Correa, Seniors, iPreparatory Academy
For poetry month, iPrep's Creative Writing class participated in the Dear Poet 2021 contest. The contest inspires students to read poems and view videos of different poets who serve on the Academy of American Poets Board of Chancellors and who have received Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowships; after, the Creative Writing students write letters to one of the poets about their poem. The list of poets and poems can be found here.
Below is a letter written by Eden Shimunova that was submitted into the contest.
For poetry month, iPrep's Creative Writing class participated in the Dear Poet 2021 contest. The contest inspires students to read poems and view videos of different poets who serve on the Academy of American Poets Board of Chancellors and who have received Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowships; after, the Creative Writing students write letters to one of the poets about their poem. The list of poets and poems can be found here.
Below is a letter written by Eden Shimunova that was submitted into the contest.
Eden's Letter to Marilyn Chin:
Eden's Letter to Marilyn Chin:
Dear Marilyn Chin,
I hope all is well by you. My name is Eden, and I am a senior in high school. I recently read your poem, “The Floral Apron,” which I very much enjoyed. Your poem made me think of the moments I have with my mom and sisters in the kitchen. We all love to cook and bake together, which was similar to your poem.
As I am graduating highschool, I am realizing how my life will transition. I have to cherish the moments I have now with my parents and all my siblings because life is going to change. As I will grow up older, I will have my own kids and make their childhood as amazing as my parents made mine
In your poem you said, “Then, she, an elder of the tribe, / without formal headdress, without elegance, / deigned to teach the younger,” reminds me of how my mother and I have fun in the kitchen: we talk, laugh, share stories, and most of all she teaches me great lessons in life. She teaches me all the top secrets of making delicious food and the aroma of the food she makes the whole house smell great.
Another part of your poem that is special is, “She wiped her hand on the apron,/ pierced the blade into the first./ There was no resistance,/ no blood, only cartilage/ soft as a child’s nose.” These lines remind me of my grandma because she does everything so effortlessly. It really made me feel connected with the poem.
To further my understanding of the poem, I wanted to ask you a couple questions. What inspired you to write this poem? Is it a story about someone you know, or was it some other inspiration? Does your family inspire all your poetry and books?
Thank you so much for contributing to the Dear Poet project! It is a beautiful poem that made me cherish my family more than I already do.
Sincerely,
Eden
Grade 12
Miami, FL