1. When did you first start writing poetry?

I began in 1995, the year I graduated high school. I turned to poetry out of a necessity for a voice. I’ve never been a good talker, and I often struggle to express myself freely around others. The page became a place for the things I barely knew how to say out loud.

2. Was there a particular poem or poet that first made you fall in love with poetry?

Not at first. Back then, it was purely a personal outlet—a way to untangle my own mind and heart. These days, I deeply admire the work of Lang Leav. I may not always remember names or titles, but that’s never been the point for me. When I read poetry, I let the words wash over me; I allow them to touch what needs to be touched.

3. How do you decide when a poem feels “finished”?

A poem is finished when I get lost for words—when I have said exactly what I needed to say, and I feel the story has reached its natural end. It’s an intuitive feeling, a sense of closure that tells me it has to end right there.

4. How personal is your poetry—do you see it as a form of self-expression or storytelling?

For me, it is self-expression through storytelling. My poetry is never fiction. Every piece is rooted in my own experiences—woven from my pain, my sadness, and my happy times. I am simply telling the story of my life as I feel it.

5. Which poets or artists have influenced your voice or style the most?

I don’t believe I have a single influence in that way. I love reading different poets, and I am always moved by work that resonates with me. But when I put the book down, that connection ends. I strongly believe every poet must find and honor their own unique voice.

6. How would you describe your poetic voice to someone who’s never read your work?

My voice varies because I cannot fake the feeling behind it. It depends entirely on what I’m experiencing when I write. If I’m working with a prompt, I wait for it to sink into my heart before I begin. My goal is for my readers to feel precisely what I was feeling in the moment of creation. And that honesty is something I am truly proud of.

7. What do you hope readers will experience or take away from your poems?

More than anything, I hope they feel with me. I hope they cry with me, laugh with me, even rage with me. Most of all, I hope they learn with me. My poetry is an invitation to share in the raw, human experience—not as a spectator, but as a companion.