We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amuche The Poet. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amuche below.

Hi Amuche, thanks for joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

A few years ago, I wrote a poem called “Self-Discipline” about my struggle and addiction with self-harm that spawned from childhood trauma and sexual assault. From 2017-2018, I had shared this poem a handful of times both by myself and with a live band. However, I stopped performing this poem in 2018 for a couple of reasons. First, I was still deeply struggling with the feelings of loneliness, worthlessness and neglect that had led to my self-harm. I did not entirely feel like I had yet overcome my addiction in the way I had initially portrayed in the poem. Although the poem was very healing and motivational, I still did not feel like the best version of myself. Second, I began to feel weary about being viewed and mischaracterized by others as the “weak poet” who was a victim of her circumstances rather than a “strong survivor” who had overcome adversity.

Earlier this year, I was inspired to perform “Self-Discipline” after witnessing a local poet bare their soul on stage by reading a poem of similar content. This performance made me realize that I completely misunderstood how common it is to come across individuals who have experienced childhood trauma and self-harm in our society. After the performance, I went home and reflected on how important it is for victims and survivors of childhood trauma and sexual assault to speak out and share the stories of our lives. This is one of the many ways in which we can share the reality of how abuse impacts different aspects of our lives. It is both the easiest and hardest form of activism.

Since I have decided to re-share my poem as a regular part of my poetry performances, the response has been overwhelming. Oftentimes after performing, people pull me aside to share their own stories and struggles with self-harm or sexual abuse. People from all different walks of life have had their lives affected by harm and abuse whether they have experienced it personally or witnessed the effects of it through a family member, loved one or friend. Not everyone has the voice or words to express such intimate experiences. I am grateful to be able to help other people heal and process difficult circumstances. It is a beautiful thing to come together over lived experiences and to know that I am not alone.

In hindsight, I was the only one mischaracterizing myself. The more I share “Self-Discipline” with an audience, the more it feels as if I am growing and healing beyond my own trauma. While feelings of loneliness may come and go, I no longer feel as if I am struggling with my self-harm addiction. I finally feel like the best version of myself. I am blessed to have found community with those individuals who resonate with my most intimate experiences.

An early recording of “Self-Discipline” can be seen on my Youtube Channel by searching: Amuche The Poet.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My journey with creative writing began at seven years old. As a little girl, I loved reading books and writing short stories. In middle school, I joined a Creative and Performing Arts Program where I studied Creative Writing. It was there where I learned about poetry and it quickly became my favorite genre of writing and my go-to art medium. This program not only introduced me to my voice as a writer, but it also saved my life. Before the term “Safe Space” became a contemporary buzz word, I had found my safe space on blank college ruled lines and spiral bound notebooks. In order to combat the suppression of early childhood adversity and trauma, I learned to paint my feelings in poetry.

Since my early introduction to poetry, I have never stopped pursuing my natural talent and passion. I write to survive and thrive as I elevate my creative and artistic inclination. I am an active local Writer, Artist, Educator, and Teaching Artist in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C metropolitan area. I consider my poems to be still life paintings of intimate experiences, emotions and observations. I am a first-generation born Black American whose poetry touches on the diaspora, sexual advocacy, mental health, the female experience and life in the DMV. I have performed and featured at a few Busboys and Poets locations, BloomBars DC, Towson University, Show Place Arena, and Pentagon City Fashion Mall along with many other places in the DMV area. Earlier this year, a selection of my poems were published in Bourgeon Literary Magazine. I aspire to pursue poetry and expand the art form throughout my entire lifetime. My writing seeks to inspire people from all different walks of life.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven by my natural inclination for writing, advocacy and awareness, and the belief that writing is a powerful tool for healing.

I am an advocate for Childhood Trauma Awareness, Mental Health Awareness, Sexual Health Awareness, and Self-harm/Injury Awareness. These are the topics and themes that drive my creative journey, especially as it pertains to Black women and girls. One of my main goals is to empower Black women and girls to speak up and speak out against the injustices they have experienced. I want them to be empowered to speak on things that are deemed taboo in our society. When Black women and girls both nationally and globally are silent about their lived experiences, cycles of trauma and abuse only persist. It is important to me that the women and girls in my community feel safe, respected and nurtured. My hope is for my written poetry and performances to inspire other Black and brown women and girls to share their experiences either publicly or privately in order to grow and heal.

An additional goal of mine is to encourage more people to write. Keeping a journal and writing in it regularly is the first step to self-awareness, self-actualization and healing. There is power in writing poetry, journaling or just simply writing down thoughts and ideas. There is power in releasing. The easiest way to release is through writing. The cathartic release I feel after handwriting my most intimate and private experiences is what keeps me alive. As a little girl, I often felt like I was going to explode from holding in trauma and emotions that were too heavy for me to carry. I am blessed that I naturally enjoyed writing and found solitude in notebooks and pages because without it, I would not be alive today. Writing has helped me to realize that emotions change quicker than the seasons. Therefore, I do not have to end my life in order to overcome obstacles and past hurdles. I have been writing for my life long before striving to write for my livelihood.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The rewards of being a spoken word artist, poet and a creative are plentiful.

First, when it comes to my creativity, I am my own boss. I create when I want and however I want. It is rewarding to regularly challenge myself to create on a consistent schedule and push myself to create poetry and performances that are new, refreshing, intriguing and exciting!

Second, being recognized for my creativity and intelligence as an organic intellectual is very rewarding.

Third, almost each and every time I share my poetry through social media, and performance or networking events, I learn about the new spaces and places in which I can take my poetry. This is very rewarding because I get to help rewrite the narrative that poetry is a dead and boring art form when it is in fact thriving and entertaining! It is rewarding to continue to push my favorite genre of creative writing to new heights and into the next generation.

Fourth, being compensated for my poetry, creativity, and organic intelligence is a bonus. It feels good to know that the hard work, time and energy that I put into my craft is valuable. I hope to one day fully rely on my art financially.

And finally, the fifth most rewarding part of being an artist is how much it allows me to connect with different audiences over our lived experiences. Poetry makes the harshest realities easier to face and consume and I’m happy to provide that creative crutch for everyone I am fortunate to come across.

Contact Info:

• Website: amuchethepoet.com
• Instagram: amuchethepoet
• Youtube: Amuche The Poet
• Other: Tiktok: amuchethepoet