Anayis N. Der Hakopian on ‘Longing Belonging’
Anayis is a British Armenian Director, 2D/Mix Media Animator and Writer. She is currently studying a Masters in Narrative Animation at the Royal College of Art in London and spends her free time writing poetry in the park whilst being mobbed by dogs.
What was the last thing that brought you joy?
Playing fetch with my dog! It is the quickest pick me up whenever I feel low and manages to fill me with the utmost amount of joy throughout the day.
Where did your poetry journey begin?
For the most part throughout lockdown and isolation – it was during a time where there was so much uncertainty with so many things collapsing around us all. I found writing poetry helped me reduce negative emotions that I was struggling to deal with.
What is a core theme of ‘Longing Belonging’, and what called you to write about it?
To put it simply, a grieving note for the diaspora – anyone who is away from a home that they may never know. Something difficult to grasp when those roots you have come from are constantly fighting to not be erased out of history by cultural conflict. Longing Belonging is a reflection of that and moving on to make a home with the people you love.
Tell us about the experience of writing this poem.
Healing. Growing up I didn’t realise how important it was to hold onto celebrating my family’s roots, traditions and language that has been passed down by generations. No matter where we are it is these elements and us as people who keep the feeling of home alive.
Where does poetry fit into your life?
It is a constant of fleeting verses in my head, natural thoughts that quickly disappear as they appear. The type that makes me fall into a panic to dive for a paper and pen to capture it before it floats into the rest of my unorganised library of ideas.
What inspires you?
Everything in small doses, from settling strong emotions to capturing moments around me.
Is there a poem you read over and over again?
‘“Hope” is the thing with feathers’ by Emily Dickinson will forever fill my soul. A known classic, but one that I will never not be drawn to.
Do you have a favourite poet?
A difficult question to answer as my taste of poetry constantly changes from language and genre but I will continue to return to those firsts that planted me into the world of poetry with Edgar Allan Poe.
What advice would you give to someone new to poetry?
Just write no matter what, write when it feels right, wrong or completely unknown. Just keep writing and reading and believing your words matter. Your Poetry is never going to be perfect and sometimes the ones that are most rough and raw are the ones that speak the most to people. We are not perfect and clean so why try and make our words become such a thing?
Why do you write poetry?
It is my free therapy, a friend, someone who won’t judge me no matter how messy my words can be or how dark I may feel. If those words strung into sentences connect with others – it makes those feelings feel less isolated and alone.
You can read Anayis’ poem here.