Keeping a dying art form alive

"I'm not necessarily trying to get them to the poetry, but the poetry to them."

Austin Hammond is not the average 17-year-old. Living in the Lake Cities area, he is trying to keep a dying art form alive by changing how people view it, and he is doing that through writing it on his own and sharing it with others.

"It's always been an escape; it's my passion," Hammond said. "I want to change how people view it."

Hammond feels as if poetry is an underappreciated art form. He said the common misconception about poetry is that it is like Shakespeare, something difficult to read and enjoy for some.

"People who are not familiar with poetry, I want to show them a different side of it," Hammond said.

Hammond is already self-published with a poem published in an anthology, three more pending publication and is working on his first book of poetry. Hammond was first published in an anthology with a poem he sent in to the World Poetry Movement called "Stars in Our Heart's Destiny."

Hammond has also two poems published in the Lake Cities newsletter and independently published a booklet of 10 pieces. His first book of poems will be published through Xilibris Publishing once completed.

He writes on various topics to appeal to different audiences such as nature, politics, mental illness and emotions. Hammond estimates he has written 180 completed poems. He said with poetry, so much emotion can be put into it that it can sway people.

"I'm grateful to have that ability to affect people," Hammond said.

Hammond said he has been writing ever since he could pick up a pen. He began to seriously write when he was 13 or 14 years old when he started writing song lyrics. Not able to read music, Hammond migrated to poetry when he recognized that poetry has a rhythm on its own.

"My [poetry] is more different than you'd traditionally find. It's raw and new," Hammond said.

Hammond said he received his first professional opinion from his mentor Dr. Lynn Weiss, a best-selling author who has written 14 nonfiction books and numerous other stories and poetry, whom Hammond met at a Lake Cities Writer's Group meeting. After reading Hammond's booklet of poetry, she left a note stating, "You're going to be something one day."

"It was that one push that got me there," Hammond said. "It gave me the boost I needed to get started.

Although Hammond does believe that poetry is a dying form of art, he said that will not stop him from writing it. He has hopes that like any art form, poetry will come back in style. Until then, he will keep practice writing it and do his part to keep it alive.

"It's more than poetry, it's self expression," Hammond said.

Another way he hopes to share poetry is through teaching poetry to middle school students and those around his age. Other ways include putting his poetry on cards, bookmarks and even online.

Hammond said his friends offer a lot of support in his writing. They are his proofreaders, his editors and his critics.

"They've definitely helped me in the ups and downs," Hammond said.

Some time this year, Hammond hopes to do a library tour in the Metroplex.

"I'll never say 'no' to any opportunity no matter how small it is because it's a building block up," Hammond said.

Long-term, Hammond hopes to become a poet and attend college for either counseling, creative writing or library science. Hammond offers a bit of advice from what he has learned to those interested in writing poetry and getting published.

"No matter how many rejection letters you get, never give up. Wear it like a badge of honor," Hammond said.

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