FOR centuries, poetry has been a medium of expression that often emphasises the deep meaning behind a display of words. For one Swinburne University senior lecturer, Dr Christina Yin, words became a way to express observations and emotions.
In addition to having her poems published in several books, she also hosts ‘English 101: Reading by Example!’ on RED FM (RTM Sarawak), broadcast every Friday at 10.30 am, 1.30 pm and 9.30 pm.
Sharing more about her life as a poet and lecturer, she speaks to Sarawak Tribune about what inspires her.
A little backstory about yourself: What do you do for a living?
I’m a lecturer and a writer. I teach media and communication, and I write fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and some academic papers.
Why are you doing it?
I need to earn a living, and I love to teach. As for writing, that’s my passion. I love creative writing.
More about your life with poetry – when and how did it start?
I learned about poetry in high school, but I never really tried writing poetry until later in life. My PhD supervisor is a well-known poet, and getting to know him and his work inspired me, as did teaching a creative writing course on poetry and drama.
Why did you delve deeper into the art of poetry?
My PhD supervisor, Professor Malachi Edwin Vethamani, encouraged me to write and submit poems to various journals and poetry collections. I gave it a try, and some of the poems were accepted and published. I also included a prose poem in my PhD thesis, which resulted in a collection of creative nonfiction lyrical essays, hybrid pieces, and memoirs.
What inspires your next poem?
My most recent poem was a prose poem about my father. The theme for that collection was “the contours of men”. My father passed away during the pandemic, but he remains very much present in my life – whether I’m at home in Kuching or visiting my mother in Selangor, where my parents lived for nearly 40 years of their married life. I haven’t thought about my next poem just yet, but I suspect it might come during my next creative writing session. inspirations for a poem could come at any time.
What do you feel when you are writing?
It depends. When the ideas and words flow well, I feel happy and excited.
What do you usually write about?
I like to write about our world and how I feel about it – what I see, or the actions or inaction that I observe. I write about the things around me and events happening around me. Sometimes, I write about a future I imagine might happen. These ideas can take the form of fiction – short stories, science fiction, creative nonfiction pieces, or poems. There’s really so much to write about.
In the beginning, was it hard to write poems?
Yes, because I was more used to writing prose. But once I let go of the pressure to follow the “rules” of poetry, I felt free to express myself in unrestricted lines and stanzas.
To this day, what are some challenges you face when writing a poem?
The biggest challenge is expressing myself honestly and concisely. Really, the challenge lies in using language eloquently. I need to choose my words carefully.
What techniques do you consider when writing a poem?
As I mentioned, I don’t stick to prescribed techniques. For me, it’s about choosing the right words that best express my thoughts and feelings.
Who are your favourite poets?
Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson.
What are some life lessons poetry has taught you?
How to appreciate the moment; how to treasure and be grateful for good health and life’s small pleasures – like a walk in the park, a leisurely breakfast at home, a thriving plant in the garden or by the roadside, or spotting a butterfly hovering above flowers or a water hen exploring a grassy divider in the city.
Tell me more about your creative writing group.
I don’t have a poetry club, but I do have a creative writing group that meets online once a week. It was formed in 2017 when a group of students and I started meeting in person to write to a shared prompt and to exchange our writing. The group consists of former and current students, as well as young people I’ve met through creative writing competitions I’ve co-organised and judged – people who love to write creatively and are happy to share their work and discuss each other’s writing.
In your opinion, why is it important to cultivate poetry for future generations?
It’s important because writing poetry allows us to express ourselves in unique ways, while reading poetry teaches us about life on Earth, nature, and humanity – our frailties, joys, despair, and resilience; every emotion and the small and grand experiences of life.
