By Giorgio Di Marzo
We have met Whitney Lynn Daccico, a 13-year-old Italian-American poetess, for a short interview about poetry.
Dear Whitney, nonetheless you are very young I will ask you a question we usually ask to all the “older” artists: what is art for you?
Art to me is an expression of emotions. It can be expressed in lot of ways: through dances or songs or… poems.
Why did you start writing poems?
Initially I started writing about my nightmares. I did this because I found it made me less afraid of them if I talked about them and wrote my thought down. Now I write about different things that inspire me. It is a great form of creativity and expression.
What are you trying to express through your poems?
My feelings about things and my point of view on whatever I am writing about.
Do you have any favourite poet?
At school I have studied Shakespeare and I liked most of his work. I also got the chance to study Edgar Allen Poe who is my favourite poet.
What is your favourite poem by Edgar Allan Poe?
I love The Raven and I also like his poem Dreamland.
Among your poems, which is your favourite one and why?
“My Sparkling” Light because it was the first poem I wrote and it made me realise that writing poetry helped me express my emotions.
My Sparkling Light
Now darkness falls upon the town,
My only light is you.
I squeeze your hand, my friend of old,
There’s nothing I can do.
I’m that frightened, protect me please,
But suddenly I see.
Although it hurts – I can’t admit –,
It’s not you next to me.
I feel a rapid stabbing,
My sparkling light has gone.
And as I close my eyes, my love,
I consider what is done…
For now I’ll see my sparkling light,
But in a bigger glow.
And our justice being served
As our “friend” rots below.
What do your parents and your friends say about your writing poems?
My friends think I am very talented and think I should become a poet. My parents like my poems and are proud of me because when they were my age they were not as creative as I am.
What would you like to do for living, then? Writing poems?
I would like to be a foreign languages teacher because I like learning new languages and teaching people is gratifying.
Why not being a poet?
Being a poet could be a hobby of mine but I would rather spend most of my time teaching.
What do you like most about Italy? What is your main link with Italy?
My main link with Italy is my mom's side of the family. I enjoy going to Italy because I am very close to my family especially to my four cousins. We are all about the same age and have a lot in common. I look forward to going to Italy because I feel like I am returning home.
I like Italy as a country because of the weather, the food, the friendly people and the culture.
Last question, a very hard one: what is your favourite pizza?
Well that is a tough one! It is a must to have a real Italian margherita with real Italian mozzarella!
Copyright 2006 GIORGIOSTUDIO – All rights reserved
|
