An Interview With Fresh First-Year Top Poet Teaya Downing: Changing The View Of The Poets

As top newspapers and magazines such as the Philadelphia Front Page News have been welcoming new best poetry writers over the past few years, Teaya Downing and other poets have also been adjusting the practice of dropping hot poems for readers.

Teaya Downing and other writers increasingly view labeling poetry as a sexist term that implies young men are the norm among those beginning the poetry life. And poets are not only men anymore.

Publishers and Poets have become more diversified over the years as more non-traditionally aged women, begin their poetry style.

It’s time to do away with the controlled style poetry and begin with the new open style poetry. Teaya, a young mother of 1, is of the new open style poetry writers.
Philadelphia Front Page News had a change to catch Teaya Downing for an interview…

Philadelphia Front Page News: How did you come to write your style of poetry and how long have you taken your style of writing more seriously than writing as a hobby?

Teaya Downing: My style of poetry came from my personal experiences in life. The memories of a 7 year old child, family members, association with professionals and my peers. I've taken my style of writing serious, due to the fact it's my perception of reality.

PFPN: What group of people (teachers, mothers, fathers, singles, etc.) does your poetry appeal to?

Teaya D: The group of people my style of writing appeals to is women, men, teachers, brothers, sisters, cousins, rappers.

PFPN: This past year, how has your poetry encouraged more writing and expressing ones real thoughts to readers? 

Teaya D: My poetry encourage more writing and expressing coming from my heart, mind, and soul, every person I interacted with left me with some common sense that not many have heard.

PFPN: Across the city, what age group do you think are classified as relationship disadvantaged?

Teaya: D: The age group I think are classified as relationship disadvantage will be 16-23 years old. At this age boys and girls are looking for stability and better ways to love them.

PFPN: What caused you to join up with your uncle Van Stone Downing to use poetry to help make a difference in the lives of Black peoples?

Teaya D: What caused me to join with my uncle van stone downing to use poetry to help make a difference in the lives of black people is the unlimited support, love, and knowledge of God. Van stone downing took me through a new walk of life which included faith, hope, luck, love.

PFPN: Do you believe that writing and reading poetry can truly help people find their own voice in their community?

Teaya D:  I believe that writing and reading poetry can truly help people find their own voice in their community. I believe we are looking for ways to connect and poetry gives you new ways to think and feel.

PFPN: What is your next goal to help adults become more involved in an ongoing poetry project? 

Teaya D: My next goal to help adults become more involved in an ongoing poetry project is to get quality writers join an open house venue with some of the biggest leaders.