Interview with Bahareh Amidi
Poetess of Light
You have had quite a wonderful artistic journey. Can you please tell us a little about your training and creative background?
It is true I have had an artistic journey and I would say that I have been getting trained since the moment of inception in the womb. That is when I started learning how to read the writings on the wall of the uterus and that is when I realized I am a part of a larger entity. My studies have been in education and psychology. As I learn more about poetry therapy I feel like all the puzzle pieces are being placed together to bring me to where I am today.
When did you first start writing poetry? In which language did you first begin writing? Do you now write in different languages or prefer to stick to one?
I first started writing poetry in May of 2010. I have however been writing all my life, it just seems like finally the mode of delivery was established once my words took the form of poetry. I started writing in my mother tongue Farsi. I currently write both in Farsi and English, mainly English. My Persian poems resinate in my heart on a different level even though I only spent 10 years of my life in Iran and have only studied until fourth grade. I do not have a preference, I write in the language that the poems arrive.
There is a misconception that one must always rhyme when writing poetry. What advice would you give to those who struggle with letting go of the need rhyme?
I would simply tell those people to watch the waves in the ocean for a while, is there any rhyme or reason to the way they flow to shore? Indeed for me, words arrive in their own space with their own energy to relay a message no matter the way they are placed or if they rhyme or not.
What most inspires your poetry?
Breath is what inspires me most. Breath of the butterflies when they are being released from the cocoon. Breath of the orphan children as they long for a mother's hug. Breath of the rays of sun as the light finds its way among the clouds to shed light on the child watching the butterfly find her wings.... each breath inspires me!
How would you describe your style of poetry in 3 words?
Light. Filled. Spiritual.
How can we stay up to date on what you are doing?
It is easy to follow me on face book: on Facebook
I regularly update my web site: www.bahareh.com
And twitter: BaharehAmidi
