She is a young poetic talent going through the hurdles and opportunities of the road to success. As Salma Bogari faces the difficulties of getting published, she received an unexpected award that acknowledges her special talent and boosts her confidence. At 24, she is hopeful and determined to make her mark. She began writing poetry and short stories in Arabic when she was 16.
"I had a lot of feelings and thoughts that I wanted to put on paper so I started writing in Arabic and my teacher told me that I was good," said Bogari. She continued developing her abilities in Arabic until she entered college where she majored in English literature and there she found her voice.
"I express myself better in English, I don’t know why but I find myself in English poetry," explained Bogari. She worked on developing her style and wrote her first English poem in 1999. She tried hard to get her work published but got nowhere. Her teachers advised her to read other writers first, such as Emily Dickinson for example, whom she admires. She was told to look closely at her style and imitate it. But imitation is not her goal. "I like Emily Dickinson, but she has her style and I can’t be like her, no one can."
In describing her own style, she said, "It’s Arabic but in English style; this is what frames my words and figure of speech." She is inspired by many things, things that people might not think about or look at — someone’s story, a melody by Kenney G, a natural scene. "It’s a gift from God that I’m thankful for." There is no common theme to her writings; she absorbs everything and expresses her feelings about them, "It’s me; it’s whatever I feel; it’s about people."
Her whole family encouraged her, particularly her sister. "She gave her time to reading my stuff over and over again and telling me when it was good." Bogari also mentions one particular college teacher, Mrs. Wadia’a Wafa, who encouraged her when she lost hope. She graduated last year from King Abdul Aziz University and tried to have her work published but found it difficult to get published here in English. There are also no societies or groups for English writers as there are with Arabic ones which give support, advice and direction to one another. Seeking exposure for her poems, she went to a website called www.poetry.com and entered their international contest for amateur poets by submitting one of her poems titled "Intuition". Within a short time she received an e-mail from Steve Michaels, International Society of Poets Convention Chairperson, informing her that she had been nominated as Poet of the Year for 2002. He also invited her to attend the International Society of Poets Summer 2002 Convention and Symposium in Washington, DC where she would be inducted as an International Poet of Merit and Honored Member of the Society for 2002. At the ceremony she would be presented with her International Poet of Merit Silver Award Bowl.
Needless to say she was overjoyed. "Finally someone who appreciates my work!" Unfortunately, she was unable to attend the convention, but she intends to go to the next one where she will receive her cash award and have her name posted on the website as a winner. Her real happiness lies in seeing her poems posted on the website for people to read. As for future plans and dreams, she plans to publish her own book and she’s thinking of doing an MA in English literature abroad. She also hopes that someone might be interested in singing one of her musical poems, "Maybe Mariah Carey will sing something for me," she said with a laugh.
In order to succeed as a poet, she says it takes a lot of reading, ambition, hard work, persistence and dedication. "If you put your mind to something it will happen." For her, poetry is mostly a talent, "but you have to have the feelings, that’s what makes the difference between one poet and another."
Arab News Features 19 December 2002
