.Writers.on.Writing.

Get to know our authors, the foundation and heart of Yellow Arrow Journal, and what writing means to them through our monthly series.

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.W.o.W. #7

Matilda Young

Describe an early experience where you learned that language has power.

My mother would sing folk songs to me as a lullaby—Streets of Laredo, Red River Valley, Swing Low Sweet Chariot. Their words to me meant comfort and adventure and family. When I could read, I would pour over my mom’s book of folk lyrics. These were some of my first poems, and I learned that they were connection—something sacred to be shared.

What word do you find yourself using most often in your writing?

I find I use “sweet” a lot—it’s a wonderful, short sonic note, something that you can lean into or work against the grain.

What does your inner writing voice tell you?

To paraphrase the American poet Stanley Plumly, write the hardest thing you can.

Matilda’s poem “This Yes, This” was included in Freedom (Vol. IV, No. 2). Follow them on Twitter @Matilda_Y28.