Poetry Month Spotlight

Jasmine Sims is a poet who loves Jesus and hates bios, according to her Instagram, where she regularly shares with her 32,000+ followers. For National Poetry Month we tapped in with the 30-year-old Milwaukee native to find out why poetry chose her.

Why poetry? Why spoken word?

As a child, it was a natural gift for me to use my words in a creative way. It wasn’t something I necessarily chose, but [rather] a gift from God, I believe. Over the years I’ve been able to see how it gives words to feelings that others aren’t always able to express and it helps people to fully experience a story or a truth with all of their senses through words. 

Who’s your audience?

My audience is anyone who can relate and is moved by my work. Thankfully I have shared my work across genders and ages and they have all been able to appreciate the words. My biggest audience tends to be women as I do speak on my own life and the experiences brought by being a woman. 

What themes do you pursue?

My most common themes are grief, womanhood, being a Black woman and my love for our men and our culture. 

Describe your style of writing and performing spoken word. 

My style is very visual and metaphor-heavy. My performance style I can’t really explain honestly. I try to remain true to who I am and connect with the crowd and engage and share stories along the way. 

What’s your creative process like?

I try to write as often as I can, either journaling or using writing prompts to practice and hone my craft. I have friends that I write with and I also lead virtual workshops. I read a lot and study other art forms and all of these things help me become a better writer. 

In what ways has your community and background influenced your poetry?

I come from an extremely supportive community and that has influenced my ability to be myself and not imitate others. I reference my community often in my work and it’s shaped the way I process and communicate. My background has often been used as metaphors and it helps to relate to others with similar stories in their own life. 

Name a poet that inspires you and tell us why.

I grew up learning about Maya Angelou and I was able to meet her as a child. She’s always inspired me to write and to carry myself with dignity as a woman and a writer. 

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given about your work?

The best advice I’ve been given is to remember why I write. It’s easy to try to write for other people or for likes and opportunities but that’s not why I write. I am a writer because that is my gift and it is my passion and if I remain true to what I believe my audience will find me. 

If you could go back to when you started writing, what would you tell yourself? 

I would tell myself that even when it looks like things are not going well they are actually falling into place. Trust God and trust the process. I have always been right where I needed to be. 

How do you engage in social media to highlight your work?

I often share my work online and promote projects that I’m working on. The pandemic has shifted the majority of my bookings to being online. I’ve been able to connect with other amazing artists online as well.

What do you hope to accomplish in the future? 

I am currently writing a poetry book that I hope to publish this summer. I hope to publish a few novels and have a small solo tour doing what I love.

What do you want readers to take away from your poetry?

Hope. I genuinely want people to walk away from my words with hope and a realization that they are valuable and loved and that God is very much alive and active.