--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wrote poetry in middle school and high…" description: "\"I wrote poetry in middle school and high school and even through college. It was bad. I just don't think I'm very good at writing poetry. I mean, the d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7c/jesmyn-ward-1426_college_i-wrote-poetry-in-middle-school-and-high_1217019.png" --- # I wrote poetry in middle school and high school and even… ![“I wrote poetry in middle school and high school and even through college. It was bad. I just don't think I'm very good at writing poetry. I mean, the distillation, I think, is hard for me, but I love poetry.” quote by Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7c/jesmyn-ward-1426_college_i-wrote-poetry-in-middle-school-and-high_1217019.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7c/jesmyn-ward-1426_college_i-wrote-poetry-in-middle-school-and-high_1217019.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7c/jesmyn-ward-1426_college_i-wrote-poetry-in-middle-school-and-high_1217019.png) > “I wrote poetry in middle school and high school and even through college. It was bad. I just don't think I'm very good at writing poetry. I mean, the distillation, I think, is hard for me, but I love poetry.” [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author doubts her poetic talent despite a lifelong passion, feeling her work is subpar and the craft difficult. **In simple terms:** She loves poetry but thinks she’s not good at it. Key Takeaway Practice without fear of judgment. Themes self‑doubt creativity artistic growth Mood reflective hopeful Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - writing workshops - personal journals - college literature courses Key Concepts confidence building skill development creative expression Questions to Reflect On - What small step can you take to write poetry regularly? - How might you reframe “bad” as “learning”? A Different Perspective Talent improves with effort; self‑criticism can hinder progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [College](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/college/) [Distillation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distillation/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [Love poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-poetry/) [Middle school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-school/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Writing poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing-poetry/) ## Related quotes > [“We will read books together inside the blanket and stay warm. And keep writing poetry in our respective journals. 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It focuses what most often floods past us in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/poetry-is-an-act-of-distillation-it-takes-contingency-samples-is/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [And to use something as elegant as a tree? 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