Meeting Valerie Bloom
Meeting Valerie Bloom was my special prize for the Foyle Young Poets of the Year 2006. I would attend a session with the famous writer where she would give me feedback on my work and look at ways to develop. Here is how it went. My first interaction with Valerie Bloom happened through a telephone wire. Talking to her was like visiting the islands. Before the call I was quite nervous, but feeling the warmth of the Caribbean in her voice put me at ease. We were due to meet in a week. Arriving at the Poetry Society on the 23rd of February 2007, gave me a rush of excitement. I was about to have two hours with a prolific writer that could help me identify my strengths and work on my weaknesses. Throughout the session I was constantly learning new things, discovering new techniques and forms, such as Clerihews and Cinqains. Seeing how charismatic and confident she was made it easier for me to be open and communicative; to such a point were we freely exchanging poems. I was blown away by a performance of her poem: Maths Is A Great Problem For Me and in such awe of her portfolio, yet she made it seem like we were equals, exclaiming that I had great potential: When you are flying around the world I will be able to say, I knew him. Hopefully Valerie!
Dairy
23rd February 2007
