WHAT began merely as a fun activity for 23-year-old Kendell Annika Richmond turned out to be something of deeper significance that made her begin to entertain bigger dreams for herself such as becoming a professional poet and even a spoken word artist. Kendell has written several poems over the years that have all been inspired by her life experiences and starting in 2017, she recalled sending her pieces to a great friend who encouraged her to begin saving them. “I think it was the motivation that I needed. I eventually began a collection; I can’t remember what it was called but it had about 15 poems that I emailed to several friends and family members just for feedback,” Kimberly recalled in an interview with the Buzz. Eventually, the feedbacks were so filled

with positive comments that she decided to move to the wider platform of posting them to Instagram and Facebook. Kendell said that writing has always given her a feeling of liberty. “So it is no surprise that writing poems affords me the same pleasure. My poems are very deep because they

represent me and my life experiences. I can be quite vocal at times in explaining my emotions but at other times, I am usually lost for words. I have found that putting those emotions that I can’t say out loud on paper is easier,” she noted. She especially loves to receive those random messages that express how great her poems are. “Every time I receive a message from a random person saying ‘I love your poems,’ my fire is refuelled.”

Kendell said it’s easy to feel unappreciated because she’s found that not many people really pay attention to poetry or the arts in general. “But when I receive those small and oftentimes random compliments, they reassure me that people are ready and people are watching and people can relate.” For her, the best feeling comes from having persons who can relate to her work. “That is what inspires me to keep writing and also I am inspired by the need to be free. Like I said, writing gives me a feeling of freedom,” she said. Kendell has plans to publish a book of poems and also sees herself embarking on the spoken word stage since she now feels empowered to be able to stand in front of thousands and recite her poems. She is also hopeful that a better support system can be put in place for local artists. “I think as an artist there isn’t much representation locally. I don’t think there is enough room for artists in general in Guyana.” Kendell has also observed that there is a very small bracket of opportunities available to poets, painters, photographers and others. “There is no solid platform and I think there needs to be. Guyana has so many talented artists who choose to hold back on their talent because the support system is absent and that’s something I would want to see in the future,” she expressed.