Who is Poet Mary Mbaire?
My name is Mary Mbaire Mbugua, am an engineering student at DeKuT, more to it I am a person who loves to inspire, to talk and advise about real life issues, which I find I achieve best in my poetry.
When did you start poetry and why did you decide it’s poetry and not any other thing?
I started poetry in Form Two back in school. I wouldn’t say I chose poetry, rather that poetry chose me, because even before I discovered I have the gift, Every time I put my hand to paper, the words just flow naturally from within. It is the genre I find myself most conversant with, though still on a few occasions, I have had a challenge putting my thoughts and feelings in words.
Who or what inspired you to do poetry?
I was inspired by a girl who was one year my senior, her name is Mary Anne, she performed a piece once when we were in church and I felt an urge to try my hand at writing and performing too.
How many pieces have you done so far?
I’ve written about 15 original pieces; of which I’ve performed 12. Sometimes when I listen to other poets and really love their work, I try to redo them in my own style, and I perform them too, only I don’t count them as part of my original work.
Which piece do you feel is the best among your pieces and why do you feel so?
My best piece so far is called ‘Voices’. Each of my pieces I’ve counted to be a stepping stone to greater excellence. Being my latest piece, it’s the most perfect of my work, and my favourite. I love it because in it I have been able to touch on most important of things, but the most ignored amongst us, that is mental health and peace of mind.
How can you define spoken word industry in Kenya toady?
The spoken word industry has indeed become very popular and competitive with time. I do acknowledge the works of many poets, and indeed very many people are extremely gifted in spoken word poetry. It is sad though that we have not yet fully recognized this beautiful genre in Kenya as it should be. I look forward to a time when we shall be having the ‘spoken word segment’ in our art and music awards. This will do very much to inspire even those who haven’t given the industry their best to do so.
Your role models, local and international.
I really love the works of Emily Wairimu in Kenya, her pieces are super awesome, I really look up to her in poetry. I have a deep admiration for Poet Teardrops, he has a rare mastery and craft with words. Internationally, Clayton Jennings’ works are my favourite.
Whom do you target with your pieces?
My pieces I direct them to the youth mostly. But I also ensure that they can fit all audiences.
Challenges in poetry industry?
Sometimes you are hit with a need for you to perform and write a piece within a tight time frame, and honestly when that gets to me, I have difficulty crafting the words. I haven’t gone big on poetry yet but from what I know, the majority of poets’ pieces don’t get recognition proportional to the beauty of their work. It’s really discouraging to a poet, though we always try to put the best foot forward.
Where do you see yourself, say in the next five or ten years?
In five to ten years, I look forward to being able to reach bigger audiences, and more frequently. I look forward to being much better at composing and performing, there is still a lot of sharpening I need and learning from those I admire. I look forward to being able to record my work too.
As a student, does poetry disrupt your studies and how do you balance the two by the way?
It’s true am still a student, poetry has never disrupted my studies. I often find myself writing when am too exhausted to read. I look forward to getting to greater audiences, I would love a good juggle between books and poetry.
What’s your family’s take on your poetry life, are they supportive or they want you to concentrate in your studies alone?
My family are really supportive, especially my parents, even if it’s obvious they don’t fully understand spoken word poetry. They’ve never asked me to forego it, they always push me forward. My siblings are very supportive too. I have a brother who does my background music, and it’s beautiful. They are all wonderful people.
There is that young person who has passion and wants to be a poet, what advice can you give to such a person?
My advice…. you never know until you try, I assure you my piece was a complete disaster when I first performed, I lost both my words and voice but I didn’t give up. It’s not giving up that gets you to where you want to get. Spoken word poetry is rather vast, first, find where you fit best in, then work persistently on your growth in it. You’ll get there.
What can you do with poetry to correct the youths who engage in crime; drugs, sexual immorality etc?
All forms of art are meant to entertain but more so to educate. To every young person that feels you need a positive change in your life, to you who feel you have gone down the wrong path, and want to change that route, to you who feels you need something more, something good, my heart goes out to you and so does my work. The bottom line of each of my pieces is that nobody is too lost to never be found again, we all have hope for better, you just have to reach out to find it. My pieces aim at showing everyone that we all have good within us, no matter who or where you are, we just need to nurture the good in us.
The political temperatures are rising higher and higher, our youths are often found in the wrong side of this game, what can you tell them?
What I can say to every young person out there, your life has value, your dignity and self -respect has value. Am not blind to the fact that these times have hit us hard, and the money offered to any of us can be quite alluring, but before you take that step try to reason if it’s for a good cause you take it. When you are young, you are the most resourceful you will ever be, use this time wisely, find that market niche in your community and aim at satisfying it, have a plan for the money you have now, so that you will never have to depend on engaging on a life risking mission just to earn your lunch.
Your word to youths with talents and are not using them.
A tale is told of the graveyard, that it’s the richest place, in it rests potential that was never utilised, dreams that were never realised and talents that were never explored. Many may disagree but it’s true, we all have talents and you just have to try at what you may like to do, you never know if that’s where your passion and gold mine lie, accept to come out of the comfort zone and seek self-growth. Life is like a candle, it will be snuffed out sooner or later, don’t want to enter your grave with unexplored prospects. Chase that dream, discover that talent, work on it, then utilise it for the betterment of yourself and those around you.
Message to your fans.
If I were to use emoji you’d get all the love ones. You motivate me so much. Thank you for encouraging me, motivating me, your positive criticism and always asking why I’ve not let out something new when I lag behind. I appreciate you so much. May God bless you.
I hope you won’t mind sending shutouts to a few.
First one goes to the Jade Class Karima Girls, the place I first tried out my gift. You girls are amazing, thanks for all the motivation and golden buzzers, in our own style of course. I thank my parents for your motivation, my siblings, my friends in school and the second year mechatronics class. I thank my il mio, thank you for your love, and always showing me where am going wrong and redirecting me. ‘Soulmate’ piece, goes to you. Thank you
Before you tell us where we can find your pieces, are you taken? You never this might be the chance.
Very taken, with Christ of course…
You can find my work on WordPress at mbairembuguapoetry.wordpress.com. I’d really appreciate. Also please check out Anthony Charles creatives on Facebook and Twitter. You’ll love it.