Celebrate New Youth Poet Laureate Alyssa Gaines!

Eighteen-year-old Alyssa Gaines of Indianapolis was recently named the 2022 Youth Poet Laureate. Speaking to National Public Radio’s Alisa Chang, Gaines said of this achievement: “It means that I’m able to civically engage with my nation through poetry and through my writing, which I’m so passionate about.” Gaines accepted her nomination at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, where she read her poem “Lagrimas Negras,” which explores her Cuban heritage and what it has taught her about recovering from emotional pain. Gaines will be a student at University of Wisconsin-Madison in the fall.

Gaines is the 6th Youth Poet Laureate in our country’s history. While poetry can be intimidating to many young writers, poets like Gaines prove that no one is too young to express themselves in verse. Her body of work–and the work of her fellow Youth Poet Laureates–have much to show us about just how powerful poetry can be, and how students can bravely begin to write poetry themselves. Here are some Gaines-inspired tips for getting started!

• Use a Traditional Form: Gaines’ poem “Blue Dashers” is a villanelle – a type of poem that has five 3-line stanzas, followed by one 4-line stanza. If that sounds complex, don’t panic! There are many other poem structures to play with. If you’re a beginner, try writing a haiku. You may be surprised to see how following the “rules” of a specific poem structure spark creativity.
• Play with Rhythm and Rhyme: Gaines’ work doesn’t just exist on paper – she’s also a talented performer of her poetry. At the 2022 Youth Poet Laureate Commencement Ceremony at the Kennedy Center, she began her performance of her poem, “Lagrimas Negras” by singing a Cuban song close to her heart. With this in mind, try reading your poem out loud – or even singing it! This can help you get creative with pauses, rhyme, and overall tone.
• Research: Often, poetry comes straight from the heart. But Gaines takes a lot of inspiration from researching topics that interest her, such as history and politics. If you’re feeling creatively stumped, try researching any topic that interests you–and see if you can turn what you find into a poem!
• Tap into Family Heritage: If you’re having a hard time telling your own story in a poem, see if your family can help! Gaines takes much inspiration from her family, exploring where her family has historically lived, and how these stories have shaped her. Try interviewing a grandparent, and see if you can turn one of their stories into a poem!

While poetry may seem intimidating, or even boring, Gaines makes it clear that poetry is in fact alive and well among young people. So give it a try, and who knows – maybe one day you’ll be a Youth Poet Laureate yourself!