Inspirations

Behind-the-scenes look into the creative soul of my poetry this semester. It charts the constellation of influences—TV shows that cracked open new emotional territory, songs that became soundtracks to moments of clarity, artwork that haunted me in beautiful ways, and personal experiences that refused to stay silent. Every piece of poetry you see here was shaped by these moments of impact, each a thread in the larger fabric of my writing journey.

Where My Poems Begin...

Every piece of poetry I wrote this semester started with something here: a lyric, a movie, a moment in real life...

Movies that shaped my poetry this semester and many more...

Uptown Girls (2003)

The movie Uptown Girls inspired me, especially the scene where the main characters share a moment on the teacup ride, experiencing the same rush despite their contrasting lives. It reminded me of a moment I had while babysitting—where my young charge and I, despite the age gap, shared an unspoken connection. This sense of parallel experience, of seeing ourselves in each other, is what sparked the inspiration for this poem.

Dazed and Confused (1993)

Dazed and Confused captured the bittersweetness of transition and youth, and its portrayal of friendships and the last moments before change inspired my poetry this semester. The film, especially, helped me explore the tension of fleeting moments, nostalgia, and the feeling of holding on to what you know is slipping away—capturing the essence of senior year and the complexities of saying goodbye. Also Love, Parker Posey.

I used to be funny (2023)

I Used to Be Funny (2023) with Rachel Sennott made me reflect on how we bury our pain beneath humor. The film’s sharp yet tender portrayal of coping through laughter led me to explore that same complexity in my poetry—how joy and sorrow can coexist in unexpected ways.

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Little Miss Sunshine (2006) struck a chord with me through its honest portrayal of mental health struggles and the quiet resilience that often comes with them. The film’s exploration of family dynamics and personal battles inspired my poetry, prompting me to write about the complexities of mental health—how it's often hidden behind humor, and how healing can come from acceptance and connection.

Music that I listen to while I write...

Soundtracks to my stories, where melody meets meaning, and every beat shapes the flow of my words.

Books and Poems that have influenced my poetry this semester...

The Prelude By Willam Wordsworth

An escape into the poet's enjambement through nature.

The White Album By Joan Didion

“The White Album” influenced my poetry by teaching me that fragmentation can be intentional and powerful. Joan Didion’s disjointed structure and stark honesty showed me that clarity doesn't always come from order—instead, raw emotion and broken narrative can more truthfully reflect inner chaos, something I now try to capture in the rhythm and form of my own poems.

Valley of the Dolls By Jacqueline Susann

Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann influenced my poetry by showing me the haunting tension between glamour and despair. The novel’s portrayal of women losing themselves to fame, addiction, and societal pressure pushed me to write more honestly about vulnerability and the cost of perfection. Susann’s melodramatic tone and emotional extremes also gave me permission to lean into boldness and excess in my own poetic voice.

The Years by Alex Dimitrov

The Years by Alex Dimitrov influenced my poetry by reminding me of the beauty in fleeting moments and the ache of time passing. Dimitrov’s conversational tone and emotional directness inspired me to write more intimately, allowing nostalgia, queerness, and longing to exist unapologetically on the page. His work encouraged me to embrace simplicity and sincerity as poetic strengths.

Ariel By Sylvia Plath

Ariel by Sylvia Plath influenced my poetry by showing me the raw power of voice and metaphor in expressing pain and transformation. Plath’s fearless exploration of identity, death, and rebirth inspired me to write with more emotional intensity and to use vivid, sometimes surreal imagery to capture inner turmoil. Her work taught me that vulnerability can be a form of control.

Tv Shows that have isnpired me this semester...

The Sopranos taught me to write the quiet tension.
Fleabag showed me how to be raw and funny in the same line.
TV gave my poetry rhythm, voice, and vulnerability.
These were more than shows—they were soundtracks to becoming.

Sopranos

FleaBag

Sex in the City