the past 2 years have been some of the most hectic, stressful, and challenging times of my life. working full time while getting a Masters isn’t easy, and I thought about dropping out a handful of times. however, I knew I would never be fulfilled long term if I didn’t get this degree. I was a part of Arcadia University’s low residency MFA program, meaning the program was completely online besides 3 week-long residencies over the course of 2 years.
poetry has saved my life on many occasions, and I truly don’t think I’d be here today without it. poems can’t end wars or stop injustice. but they can provide different perspectives, investigate new ideas, change hearts, heal, and allow us to feel, think, and believe in ways we didn’t know we could.
it didn’t make logical (or financial if I’m being super honest) sense to get this degree. I already have a stable and growing career in scholarly publishing, along with many other career options with my Bachelors. still, I knew in my heart I had to do this. though this path was quite difficult, I would do it all over again. in every lifetime where I have this choice, I will choose poetry.
I know many creatives have a lot to say about MFAs and their utility, but for me it was the right thing to do. Not only is the degree terminal (opening up possibilities for the future if I ever want a career change down the line), but it also helped me grow substantially as a writer and put together what will hopefully be my first collection. That is something I had no clue how to do before. Sure, I could have figured it out, but I know I never could’ve created the manuscript I did without the guidance, support, and community of my professors and cohort. This program has been one of the biggest blessings in my life and I am eternally grateful to not only have been a part of it, but to have hopefully played a role in the development of others.
big thank you to my family, friends, mentors, peers, and community for supporting me when I had doubts and struggled to move forward. and deep gratitude to every publication who has published my work, every person who has read my poems, and everyone who believed in my creative pursuits. I owe you the world <3
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