01/03/2026

ON SUNDAY March 1, 2026 theSunday Special III

Most of Natasha’s work is inspired by her personal experiences and the small moments that often go unnoticed. wards writing, even in school, EXW P\ ¿UVW VSRNHQ ZRUG HYHQW was in Aotearoa, New Zealand. I remember being 18 years old and at the time, an Iraqi and that someone else understands. After each performance, I wish the audience leaves reflecting on themselves, someone else or society in a new way,” she added. Multicultural aspiration Amelia Jafar sees spoken word poetry as an exchange of en ergy and a meeting of souls. Known among the creative circle as Ms Amelia, she is also an educator, a storyteller and a woman of many identities, but most importantly to her, an animal lover. “I’ve always gravitated to ever. “I hope everyone feels un derstood, inspired or even chal OHQJHG WR WKLQN GL̆ HUHQWO\ I hope they feel heard and Inspired by everyday life Natasha Jadoon is another spoken word poet and author who shares Anis’ senti ments. She writes and performs pieces WKDW UHÀHFW OLIH LQ WKH FLW\ GUDZLQJ RQ personal experiences and events around her. It is the connection with the audience through storytelling, emotion and rhythm that truly keeps her going. “Back in 2022, I came across an open mic space where I impulsively signed up. I was very nervous, to be honest, but I went along with it anyway because I knew it was either that day or never. I still remember the snaps, the claps and the response despite my nerves. The adrenaline rush made me want to keep on doing it,” Natasha said. Natasha writes about relationships, heartbreak and everyday life. Most of her work is inspired by personal experiences and the small moments that often go unnoticed. Malaysia holds a special place in her heart, wherever she goes. It will DOZD\V EH WKH EDFNGURS DQG UHÀHFWLRQ LQ her poetry. “For me, spoken word poetry is storytelling with rhythm and heart. I draw inspiration from everything and everywhere. It could be from conversa tions with friends, things I read or see in the news, cultural traditions or just moments in my day-to-day life that spark an idea. But personal experiences are often the foundation. They give the words authenticity,” Natasha explained. Natasha has noticed how the spoken ZRUG SRHWU\ VFHQH KDV JURZQ VLJQL¿FDQWO\ VLQFH VKH ¿UVW VWDUWHG 7KHUH DUH PRUH events, open mics and platforms that give young poets a chance to share their voices. The chosen styles and topics are even more diverse now, which is really exciting to see. The community feels more connected than

For me, spoken word poetry is storytelling with rhythm and heart.”

Natasha

“I also have a birthday tradition where I write a poem annually on my birthday to commemorate how far I’ve grown over the years,” Anis explained. Nothing means more to Anis than for her audience to relate to her poems and find solace and comfort in her words, knowing that we are not alone in our shared experiences. Poetry is meant to be shared and knowing that others are enjoying her poems inspires her to write more and to let her work become a bridge that connects the community.

Amelia writes about identity, womanhood and life.

PXOWLFXOWXUDO KRPH DQG FRXQWU\ LQÀX ences her thought process and who she is as a person. Her writing is bilingual too and it is rare for her to write in just one language. “Inspiration comes from life. What it means to live and experience human connection, there’s so much happening here and all around the world. Being a spoken word poet is much like being a reporter. Every time we step on stage, we’re reporting what we see, what we feel, what we understand and what is happening around us,” she added. W KHQ $PHOLD ¿UVW VWDUWHG SHUIRUPLQJ in Malaysia, she was introduced to spaces such as Jack It!, which aim to bring the community together. As time went by, more similar spaces such as Jalan Dalam, Closed Quarters and Sacred Grounds began to gain traction. These poetry nights and open mics are the brainchildren of local creatives who share a passion for spoken word. It shows how the poetry scene is becoming less underground. The next step would EH ¿QDQFLDO VXSSRUW IRU WKHVH FUHDWLYHV “Poets who host other poets understand the importance of valuing the work. Even a small token that covers basic expenses such as petrol and parking would be enough. I wish more people would come to support the art scene and poetry. It’s a craft that takes time to perfect. I hope that in 2026 we can put to rest the whole struggling artist playbook and start paying artists fairly,” Amelia said.

I wish more people would come to support the art scene and poetry. It’s a craft that takes time to perfect.”

Amelia

Greek-Australian poet was sharing their experiences as a third culture kid. It was P\ ¿UVW WLPH PHHWLQJ DQ ,UDTL RU D *UHHN person, but everything they said I related to. “It was as if they saw my life, too. That was when I discovered the power of the spoken word to connect people from all over the world and to make someone feel seen. At 25, I returned to Malaysia and met fellow poet Sheena Baharudin. That’s when I understood what it means to turn writing into a craft. She’s been someone I look up to,” she recalled. Amelia comes from a multicultural and multilingual household. Because of this, she writes about identity, womanhood and life. Everything she writes is rooted in her Malaysian identity. Living in a