Chit-chatting with Kathana
”Poets are introspective and have an incredible way of making people feel less lonely. Each word is like a hug and certain poems can make you feel seen and heard.” Khatana is a singer, songwriter, and poet based in Portland. She discovered poetry's healing power when anxiety took away her will to sing, and has never stopped writing ever since. In this interview, we talk about vulnerability and the unifying power of words. ♡
Who is Kathana?
I am a singer, songwriter, poet, and lover of dance and psychology. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and currently live in Portland, Oregon. I started out writing songs and as I developed my songwriting career I found that poetry became a great way to express myself in a more intimate way. I just love to fill my life with as much art as possible, it has helped me in my most destructive times.
What’s your definition of a poet?
Interesting question. To me, a poet is someone who brings a rare kind of magic into this world. No matter how tragic and chaotic things seem, they make life more beautiful. Poets are introspective and have an incredible way of making people feel less lonely. Each word is like a hug and certain poems can make you feel seen and heard. They speak their truth and give life to daydreams. They lay their hearts on paper, and cut it open to show you their world, instead of just telling you.
What (or who!) made you fall in love with poetry?
Well, I’m a big fan of Jack Gilbert and Emily Dickinson, so they were a big influence on me. I love how raw and real their poems are and how they transport me into each moment with them. Besides that, I fell in love with poetry when I found that writing is also very therapeutic. It was after experiencing the worst panic attack of my life. I couldn't sing for months and fell into depression. But writing poetry felt safe, especially at that time, when I felt disconnected from my body. This happened almost 2 years ago and I haven’t stopped writing since. It is my safe space.
Poetry is often more deeply intimate and honest than conversations. Does sharing your poems make you feel vulnerable? Do you share all your work?
To be honest, I’ve never really had a problem sharing my art. I do feel vulnerable when I share though, and I feel that’s very powerful because it’s the best way I can connect to someone I’ve never met. I share most of my work but there are some pieces I keep for myself for therapeutic purposes.
Somehow your style always gives me summer vibes… Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Oh really! I’m happy you get summer vibes from my writing. I feel my happiest when the sun is out and a lot of my daydreams are of summer. These days I draw a lot of inspiration from my parents' garden and nature in general. It’s where I find solace when things are chaotic. When I’m in the garden I feel like I truly can be anyone I want to be and my dreams don’t feel so out of reach. I also draw inspiration from my own experiences, of course. Also from sleepless nights when I feel most vulnerable.
And how would you describe your creative process? Can you guide me through the stages of a poem?
That’s a tought question, y writing process changes every time! Sometimes I’ll randomly get an idea for a poem so I’ll jot it down in my notes app. I get inspiration in the bathtub, walking down the street, in the grocery store, in the middle of the night. And sometimes I’ll be in a flow and allow myself to write it all down as it comes then go back later to do some revisions. My favorite way to write is by listening to music and indulging in my imagination. So much of my poetry involves metaphors for my actual experiences.
If you were poems were a living creature… what type of being would they be?
A tree. Grounding, complex, with many layers!
Why does the world need poetry?
It reminds people of what makes them human and it gives more meaning to everyday things.
As a writer, what’s the next step for you?
In the future, I’d love to publish a short collection of poems because I think it would be even more meaningful to have physical copies of poems! I am also in the process of opening a shop with poetry prints, so stay tuned for that!
Where can we read your work?
You can read my work on Instagram (my account is @mindfulcupcake) and also find a few of my poems in the Sapling anthology, published by Quillkeepers Press.
