Shanna-Kaye Laing, Gleaner Writer

The Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverley is known for her great poems and her programme Ring Ding. She has influenced a lot of people to write and perform poems, among whom is Callette Daley.

She is a 14-year-old third-form student of Mt Alvernia High School in St James. Callette is one of the many teenagers who enjoy writing and performing poems. Her creations included 'Job Interview', 'Parson Sick' and 'Surprise Proposal'.

We had a chat with her:

What inspires your poems?

Most of the times it's just a feeling or a thought that pops into my mind.

What was your first performance like?

My first performance was fun. It was my first piece, 'Job Interview'. Everybody liked me and wanted to hear more.

Who do you look up to?

The persons who I look up to are The Most Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverley and Oliver Samuels. These two play a very important role in the writing of my poems.

Do you prefer performing your own poems or other people's poems?

I've never performed another person's piece. I always do my own.

Would you like to be a poet, or is writing poems just a hobby?

Growing up, I wanted to be a poet, but recently I realised that it is more of a hobby.

Do you feel pressure when performing, or does your performance just flow?

I am extremely committed to practising my poems so it flows perfectly.

What was your most memorable moment?

My most memorable moment was when a Christmas function was being held in my community and I volunteered to do a piece. All my friends said no, but I went and did it anyway, and it went great.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

My most embarrassing moment was at a function. In the middle of the poem I couldn't remember what to say and so I had to stop.

Do speech and drama play a very important role in your lifestyle?

Yes, they do. With this particular skill, I am fun to be around and I take part in a lot of school events and I join a lot of clubs.

Do you get support from family members?

Yes, I get a lot of support from family and friends.

Do you write to influence people, or just for them to be entertained?

So far all that I have written is to entertain people and not to influence. After all, I'm a young poet, not a young politician.

For the most interesting teen issues and styles, get your copy of Youthlink magazine on news-stands on Tuesday.