(FEB 3RD, 2020)
Hello, my name is Bailey Quinn and I am a high school senior in Connecticut producing a capstone project on poetry. Three years ago I stumbled across spoken word and slam poetry, excitedly settling into searching for resources to better understand and emulate the performances I had come across. Now, as a senior and a young poet, I am developing a publication company that publishes submissions and holds local poetry slams, with the ultimate goal of cultivating a connection to poetry that does not intimidate or isolate newcomers from experiencing all that it has to offer.
I began my project on January 24th, as I am not a part of the Academy program and my academic schedule had prevented me from participating -- apparently taking 5 AP classes, completing 14 college applications, and competing in a sport every season takes up a lot of time -- who knew? Quite honestly I would not have it any other way. Writing has always been about chasing peace in chaos and finding joy in life being unpredictable, constantly moving and forever evolving. Consistent perseverance is required, as is a sense of humility (and humor) when things go wrong and you have to scrap a new draft and try again.
Poetry is an art form that calls for emotional connectivity and flexibility, for investment from the deepest part of your heart to be balanced out by a detailed project personable analysis of what the experience feels like; it can be intimidating to not only express yourself freely, but also to double to vulnerability of the experience by reading it aloud for others with passion and emotion.
It is because of poetry that I push myself into uncharted territories that can feel over my head and out of my league -- whether it’s taking harder classes, stepping up to lead when I am still learning to believe that I am capable, This project will be no different -- from challenges to successes and, all around, a joy to take part in.
I am enthused to explore poetry through this unfamiliar entrepreneurially-based lens. Organizations like the one I am trying to produce have inspired me for the past 3 years, and have shaped the person I have become today. Even before I understood the technicalities of poetry, I loved poetry when I was little. Poetry has always been about saying what you cannot say in plain terms, and I can only hope to develop a project that would encourage such a powerful experience, such a positive connection, for others.
I am so very excited to begin Your Small Moments, formerly known as Star Sailor Stories.
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