When it comes to self-expression, aspiring poet Alana Babb feels the art of poetry is the ideal way to give voice to her feelings. Babb, who works as a library assistant at the National Library and Information Systems (Nalis), spends her days surrounded by words. She knows best the power and influence of the written word, and is trying to make her own mark in the world of literature through a second career as a poet. Babb published her first book of poetry called Poems from the Heart in December last year, and is already working on her second offering, a book of poetry with the theme Freedom. At 27, Babb has been writing poetry for ten years, with no formal training and little mentorship.
She described the hardships of trying to be a poet in this country to the T&T Guardian. She said after taking a year to pen a book on poetry, she had approached several publishers with her manuscript. Unfortunately, they were unwilling to publish her work. "Most publishers in T&T tend to publish things like text books, they don't usually want to publish poems," said Babb. With what seemed like a wall in her path attempting to block her efforts, Babb made a decision that would elude most. Instead of looking at the wall and turning away, she constructed a way over her hurdle. She self-published. With the design done by her friend, Kamaria Nicholls, she approached Zola Pilgrim to edit. "After the book was edited it was just a matter of going to Nalis and getting an ISBN number," said Babb.
She took the manuscript to a printer and got her work printed, and now feels proud at her accomplishment.
"Ever since I was a young girl I would write poetry," she recalled. She said she would receive compliments on her writing from friends and family, but it was her own love that prompted her to continue writing. She described poetry as the ultimate freedom for her to express her feelings on life, love, God and the world.
In fact, Babb's first compilation is focused on just that-love, friendship, God and her country. Babb admires poets like Derek Walcott, Anton Gonzales and Maya Angelou, who she believes have mastered the art of poetry. Her intention is that one day she would be an internationally respected poet, and in her bid to achieve this, she has begun to enter international poetry competitions.
Babb's second book of poetry is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, and though she considers herself a work in progress, she also knows that practice makes perfect, and plans to continue publishing her work until she fulfils her dreams.
