Maya Williams

Not long ago I had the opportunity to attend a segment of the Maine Council for English Languages Arts teachers conference. To kick off their annual learning opportunity teachers gathered at Portland Stage for an evening of poetry provided by Maya Williams. I was delighted to hear Maya recite her own poetry. While working at the Maine Arts Commission I was responsible for the state Poetry Out Loud program for high school students. That experience provided me the opportunity to listen to many many poets, some students and some professional poets at the local, state and national level. During that time I never heard anyone recite like Maya. She has passion and energy that invited me to the edge of my chair to listen very carefully.

Maya is the seventh Poet Laureate of Portland and currently an Ashley Bryan Fellow. Fortunately, Maya took the time from her busy schedule to answer some questions for me. Maya graduated with a Bachelors in Social Work and a Bachelors of Art in English in May 2017. In May 2018 they graduated with a community practice-focused Masters in Social Work and Certificate in Applied Arts and Social Justice from the University of New England. Maya graduated with a Masters in Fine Arts Creative Writing with a Focus in Poetry at Randolph College in June 2022. You can read more about Maya’s background at THIS LINK.

Congratulations on being the seventh Poet Laureate of Portland. What responsibilities does this include?

Thank you! Responsibilities include working with the Portland Public Library to facilitate poetry programming for Southern Maine’s community.

I had the chance to visit with Ashley at his home on Little Cranberry Island in 2018. What an honor to be an Ashley Bryan Fellow. What has the recognition afforded you?

I truly wish I had the chance to meet him. I have been able to meet with fellow writers of color and have more resources and opportunities from the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance.

Please tell the blog readers about your background in writing poetry. When did it begin, who or what influenced you?

I have been writing since the age of 5, writing poetry since the age of 8. What really influenced me was learning more about spoken word poetry in late high school, and then competing in the collegiate poetry slam scene all through college. 

What or who inspires and/or motivates you?

Youth inspires and motivates me. Community inspires and motivates me. My mother inspires me all the time. Poets such as Anis Mojgani, Kaveh Akbar, Paige Lewis, Melissa Ferrer-Civil, Mia Stewart-Willis, Shay Alexi, Julia Bouwsma, and so much more. 

When providing opportunities for young people to hear your message, your content includes BIG and IMPORTANT topics: suicide awareness, mental health, faith, entertainment media, grief, interpersonal relationships, intimate partner violence, and healing. I’m imagining that it takes
some front loading to be sure that your audience is ‘ready’. What happens beforehand to help teachers prepare their learners?

This is a great question. I’m really upfront with teachers in advance. I also let them know that I use content warnings before performing along with encouraging students to take care of themselves by walking around, leaving the room and coming back as needed, doodling, whatever they need. 

You’ve received recognition for your poetry including finalist for Slam Free Or Die Qualifier Slam for their National Poetry Slam (NPS) 2018 team and a runner up of the Slam Free or Die Individual Slam Championship in 2018. Congratulations! What advice do you offer to young people interested in writing?

Thank you! I would say to always be sure you’re finding fellow writers to write with. Writing does not have to be as lonely of a process as we initially think it does. 

When you shared your poetry at Portland Stage as part of the Maine Council for English Language Arts Annual Conference you were amazing. In my past I was responsible for the Maine Poetry Out Loud program and have had many opportunities to listen to poets recite. I’ve never heard anyone recite with the passion and in the style that you offered. I found myself wishing that every young
person could have the opportunity to hear you. You are a gem. What words of wisdom, from your experience, do you offer to others who are learning to read and share poetry?

You’re so so kind. I want to encourage people to know that you don’t have to share everything you’ve written. You can share when you’re ready to share and either feel comfortable or feel ready enough to push yourself slightly out of your comfort zone. Also, not writing still counts as writing. There’s so much life to live before getting it all on the page and sharing it in public.

You can find Maya’s workshop and school visit information on her website at https://www.mayawilliamspoet.com/ Maya has written many poems and has published books available on her website as well. If you have the chance to hear her in performance please don’t hesitate, you won’t be disappointed!