Young writer launches first book of poetry

By Gibron Rahim
IT IS undeniable that Guyana is home to writers of immense talent. The often unsung works these writers produce inspire and awe while provoking thought and discussion. These pieces may also be inspirational. This is the case with “Silver Linings”, poet Maryam Jameela Haniff’s recently released book of poems.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with Maryam to learn more about the inspiration behind Silver Linings. She related that she was homeschooled when she was younger. During that period of time she was exposed to the works of poets such as Robert Frost, Robert Louis Stevenson, Christina Rossetti and Emily Dickinson. Maryam explained that she loves to read. It is a love that developed from her father’s reading to her when she was younger. “After I started reading poetry I just tried my hand at it and it just became a part of me.”

Silver Linings is focused on upliftment, motivation and dreams, according to Maryam. “The main theme is the title ‘Silver Linings’,” she related. “It’s basically to see the good in everything and choosing to see the light instead of drowning in the darkness.” Silver Linings was released on the launch day of the recently concluded 2019 Women in Business Expo. Maryam noted that the poems in Silver Linings were not written with the goal of creating a collection of poems in mind. “I’ve been writing since I was eight,” she related. She explained that she has been writing on the different life experiences she has had from that time to the present. “I just decided to do this compilation of poems written throughout the years.”

Publication of her work has been a dream of Maryam’s. The theme of positivity that permeates Silver Linings was very important to her. As she further elaborated, “I chose this theme because I know that the world is hard and people need upliftment, people need encouragement, people need to see the light so I chose this topic.” Silver Linings has garnered a good response thus far. Maryam noted that people who like to read and those who are familiar with her work have responded positively to it.

Deciding on which poems to include in Silver Linings was a process for Maryam. She told the Pepperpot Magazine that she had to browse through the entire collection of poems she had written up to that point. “I had to go through them and choose the ones that fall under the theme of positivity and dreams,” she explained.

Maryam had to put herself in the shoes of her potential readers, questioning what she as a reader would need if she was drowning in darkness or not feeling her best on a given day. She asked herself the question, “What would I want to read that would help me feel optimistic and want to get ready for the day?”
The positive message of Silver Linings has personal significance to Maryam. She related that she knows what it is like to not feel one’s best.

“I know that everyone experiences it,” she said. “Even if they’re not open about it, everyone experiences it sometime in their life.” Poetry has been a great help for Maryam. She recalled that there have been numerous occasions where she has felt relieved after writing a piece. “Sometimes, even if I don’t write, I would read poetry from other poets and it would help,” Maryam affirmed. “That’s why I’m hoping that when people read my work it would help them.” Indeed, the dedication in Silver Linings reads, “Dedicated to all those who are seeking light in this dark world.”

Maryam’s aspirations do not end with Silver Linings. She produces other works through her brand “Emjay”. She explained that she used the initials “MJ” from her first and middle names to create the name Emjay for her brand. She has created magnets and stickers with short quotes from Silver Linings. She noted that she is also currently working on getting keyrings with quotes done as well. The aim, she said, is to feel a sense of refreshment after reading the quotes. “To have these words around you would help,” she said.

Through Emjay, Maryam is also offering a personalised poetry service. She explained that she would start with the letters of the name of the subject of the poem. “You would tell me some stuff about you and I would make a unique poem for you only,” she related. “And I would do the artwork and print it out on a card or [if] you want it framed,” she added. She explained that the idea for personalised poems using the letters of one’s name came about from her research on poetic forms. After she began writing, Maryam looked into various poetic forms. She was inspired to try the acrostic poetic form, beginning with her own name.

The use of the acrostic allows for the personalised pieces Maryam writes to be especially unique to the people they are written for. “People like that so I offered it because I like to write and it would make people happy,” she said.

Those who read of Silver Linings can expect to feel renewed after completing it, according to Maryam. “They would feel a sense of more confidence, they would feel brave [and] they would want to go after their dreams,” she stated. “And they would want to grow out of whatever darkness they’re going through, if they are.”

If not, they would have the strength to forgive and move on and encourage other people to empower love and kindness over negative emotions, she said. And there are more books of poetry in Maryam’s future. “People have been asking for children’s poetry so I think that’s the next step.”