Riley Strait, a sophomore studying Writing Seminars and English, reflects on his emotional struggles with poetry in relation to his experiences in his father”s rural hometown in southwest Missouri. In a recent article, he describes how his professor pointed out his difficulty in unpacking emotions within his poetry, likening the critique to rescuing a feral kitten.
The focus of his contemplation centers around the peacocks that once roamed freely in his grandmother”s town. For locals, these vibrant creatures became so commonplace that they transformed from a source of wonder into a nuisance. The peacocks were known for their striking plumage, but they also pecked at car paint and disrupted the peace at a senior care facility, leading city officials to take action.
Strait notes that the humane relocation of these peacocks went unnoticed by him until a recent visit to the park where they used to gather. The absence of the peacocks struck him unexpectedly, leaving him with a feeling he describes as “bittersweet.” He recalls swinging on a playground swing, feeling a mixture of nostalgia and sadness, as he reflected on the impact of their removal.
Despite his discomfort in expressing emotions through poetry, Strait finds it easier to share truths in his journalistic writing. He candidly admits that he would not hesitate to disclose personal information in a public article, yet he struggles to name his grandmother”s town or the park in his poetic works. Instead, he opts for vague references, avoiding the risk of revealing too much.
Strait attributes his apprehension to his upbringing, with a father who is a stoic Southern Baptist writer and a mother who is a Catholic journalist. This duality has shaped his approach to both poetry and journalism. While he grapples with a “poet”s problem,” he acknowledges his tendencies as an over-sharing journalist.
In the end, he reflects on the peacocks as symbols of a kind of magic that he wishes could linger in places often overlooked. Their removal, he suggests, signifies a loss of beauty and joy in a community that may already be struggling. Through his writing, he seeks to confront these emotions, hoping to find a way to articulate the significance of what has been lost.
Ultimately, Strait”s journey illustrates the complex relationship between personal experiences, memory, and the challenge of capturing emotions in poetry. His reflections on the peacocks serve as a poignant reminder of the connections we form with our surroundings and the impact of their absence.
