Rashan Speller
Southern Rewind
We connected with our third-place Postcard Poetry Contest winner, reflecting on the childhood memory of their late grandfather that inspired their piece, the challenge of distilling emotion into the postcard form, and their ongoing exploration of philosophy, art, and self-discovery.
Tell us a little bit about you.
A bit about myself I’m very introverted and quiet which keeps me within my thoughts and opinions about the world. I’m very deep into learning about myself and the universe which breathes life into my art form. I’ve been told that I’m a very deep thinker which is why most of all of my writing and art is based around philosophy and philosophical concepts.
Can you tell us the story or inspiration behind your postcard poem?
My inspiration behind the postcard poem was a simple memory my grandfather told me before of his days as a child. I loved hearing him talk about the good old days and I always wanted to write something to celebrate my late grandfather's memory. So I took this opportunity to share his story with the world and his joy of life.
What drew you to the postcard form? How did the format influence your writing?
It was a new way to challenge myself. I’m used to writing longer poems or stories, so to put a cap onto myself to fully express my emotions and feelings without being too overwhelming was a much needed break from my day to day routine.
What does “summer” mean to you, emotionally or symbolically?
To me summer symbolizes the journey of the soul through its highest points of self discovery. That is why when we as light beings feel the summer sun at its highest we rejoice and celebrate the journey. It is like the universal soul beating on one beautiful drum with the creations it manifests.
Do you have a regular writing practice, or was this contest a nudge to create something new?
I normally just look up words that I’ve never seen or used before to help challenge my mind to think of ways to describe the word as a poem. I used this method as a writing exercise at first, then it became something of my muse over time.
Are there any poets or artists who inspired your entry?
Some poets and artists that inspired me were Gil Scott-Heron and Tupac Shakur.
What are you working on now, or what’s next for you in your writing journey?
I’m working on a small poetry collection of metaphysical ideas and art that are express thought those same conceptual principles. My goal is to highlight the need for learning this key concepts to help improve the mind of others.
Where can readers find more of your work?
On instagram @artistphilly, I have artwork as well.
Anything else you'd like readers to know?
Something the readers can know is that I’ve been featured on a billboard for a poetry contest I entered. I’m also getting my hands into photography so I’m featured on a magazine website currently.