Erica de Belen on ‘Letters From Your Other Granddaughter’
Erica de Belen is your local sensitive soul and Gothic fiction lover. She can often be found admiring Creation and reading a good book in the mountains of Batangas, Philippines.
What was the last thing that made you feel hopeful?
There’s a quote from the scriptures I’ve been reminded of recently. It’s taken from Song of Songs 2 — “The season has changed, the bondage of your barren winter has ended, and the season of hiding is over and gone.” Recently, it feels like the world has been moving too fast. Truthfully, sometimes I am unable to keep up with it! I am reluctant to already be entering the new season in my life, but I am learning to hold onto the promise of growth also stated in the same passage, “The rains have soaked the earth and left it bright with blossoming flowers.”
What is a core theme of ‘Letters From Your Other Granddaughter’, and what called you to write about it?
My Lolo (grandfather), is the person who introduced me to my love for poetry. My fondest memory with him is the time he read aloud to me “The Raven,” by Edgar Allan Poe. That was the first time I felt enchanted by poetry. Because my Lolo is a poet, he also introduced me to writing at a young age. I hope “Letters From Your Other Granddaughter,” acts as a call for the readers to appreciate the people who shaped us into who we are today.
Tell us about the experience of writing this poem.
It’s difficult to write a poem dedicated to someone else. You want to get every single word right. During the writing process, I did the one thing I promised myself I wouldn’t do—editing as I go along! It slowed down my process. After an hour or two, I ended up with not even ten lines on my Google Doc. I realized I was wasting my time, so I got a notebook and wrote down everything I wanted to say to my Lolo. It’s not that hard to press backspace on your computer to make revisions, but I couldn’t change what I was writing in my notebook! Afterwards, I started to form all of the word vomit into something readable. There was this one night when I called my Lolo to tell him I was writing this for him. It was around midnight for me, but the sun just rose in California. He told me, “Ang galing ni Erica ko.” (Literally translates to, “Great is my Erica.”)
What inspires you?
I mainly live in the city, but I frequently travel to my family’s farm in the mountains. Being in nature really gets me going, but I would also say that the ordinary things here at home inspire me. I have a tiny notepad I carry around with me almost everywhere to write down something a family member has said at the dining table, or what a friend told me through a phone call—anything that makes me go, “Woah.” Most of the time, it’s something small.
Do you have a favourite poet?
Mary Oliver, for sure! Her words comfort me on difficult days. I’ve also been reading a lot of Rilke lately.
What advice would you give to someone new to poetry?
I mean this in the nicest way possible—get over yourself. Don’t be afraid to write bad, cringe-worthy poems. You will never get it perfectly on your first attempt, and that’s okay. Never suppress what you have to say. Go wild, then step away and allow each piece to breathe.
Why do you write poetry?
Whatever I write is an extension of who I am. I cannot imagine fully expressing myself in any other way. This is how I give myself a voice.
You can read Erica’s poem here.