National Poetry Month Celebration 2015
Bio: Cici Felton is a high school senior residing in Maryland and is a creative poet and activist. She has been writing since age 9 and is a two-time member of the DC Youth Slam Team, as well as President of her school’s poetry club Lyrikal Storm. She has performed in various venues all over the world including South Africa, the Kennedy Center, George Washington University, and the Harlem Renaissance Festival, to name a few. She has her own book “Daddy’s Little Girl: Gone in 3 Minutes” which consists of her own original poems. Her goal is to touch others with her story and let the audience know her truth. She enjoys mentoring youth and changing lives with her words and believes poetry is therapeutic and saves lives.
The interview
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from my real life experiences as well as from the problems I see in the world that need to be changed.
What inspired you to write?
Throughout my childhood I was a victim of bullying which led me to have low self esteem as well as a lack of confidence. I turned to poetry as an outlet and a way for me to release my feelings without actually having someone to talk to, writing was almost therapeutic for me.
What do you think is the most important tool for a poet?
Using words in such a way that you display the truth in all aspects and make people feel what you are saying. You have to touch others with your words, because if we don’t speak up and say something about what’s going on, no one else will.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to be a poet?
There is no such thing as “not good enough”, you need no validation for your truth. You have the power to touch others with your words and that is the greatest gift. Writing is a muscle, you have to put in endless work to be a great poet. Write every chance you get, and never stop writing, it will take you far.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I am a member of the 2014 DC Youth Slam Team and I wrote my own book “Daddy’s Little Girl..”. I also went on a trip to South Africa with some other students along with my coaches and we performed at the State Theatre, led workshops, and interacted with other youth.
Where are you from/ where do you live?
PG County.
Who is your favorite poet?
Saul Williams; he’s always been able to touch others with his words and make people feel his poetry. Everything he says is the truth, and he writes in such a phenomenal way that can never be duplicated.
I draw inspiration from my real life experiences as well as from the problems I see in the world that need to be changed.
What inspired you to write?
Throughout my childhood I was a victim of bullying which led me to have low self esteem as well as a lack of confidence. I turned to poetry as an outlet and a way for me to release my feelings without actually having someone to talk to, writing was almost therapeutic for me.
What do you think is the most important tool for a poet?
Using words in such a way that you display the truth in all aspects and make people feel what you are saying. You have to touch others with your words, because if we don’t speak up and say something about what’s going on, no one else will.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to be a poet?
There is no such thing as “not good enough”, you need no validation for your truth. You have the power to touch others with your words and that is the greatest gift. Writing is a muscle, you have to put in endless work to be a great poet. Write every chance you get, and never stop writing, it will take you far.
What is an interesting fact about you?
I am a member of the 2014 DC Youth Slam Team and I wrote my own book “Daddy’s Little Girl..”. I also went on a trip to South Africa with some other students along with my coaches and we performed at the State Theatre, led workshops, and interacted with other youth.
Where are you from/ where do you live?
PG County.
Who is your favorite poet?
Saul Williams; he’s always been able to touch others with his words and make people feel his poetry. Everything he says is the truth, and he writes in such a phenomenal way that can never be duplicated.
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