Poet channels emotion and experience into powerful poetry

Poetry has been a lifelong passion for Charanee Marimuthu (35), a writer whose work explores emotion, vulnerability, and the complexities of love.

From writing poems as a young child to performing on poetry stages today, Charanee has cultivated a voice that reflects both personal experience and universal human emotions.

According to Charanee, her love for writing began very early in life. During her primary school years, she was already writing and performing poetry. What began as a childhood interest gradually developed into a meaningful creative outlet that continues to shape her life today.

While poetry is central to her creative identity, Charanee’s professional career has taken a different path. She currently works as a digital marketing strategist and has previously built experience in journalism, copywriting, and social media content creation. Through these roles, she has written blogs, marketing copy, and digital content across a range of platforms.

“Despite working in a strategic digital environment, poetry remains a space where I explore deeper emotional themes. I am particularly drawn to melancholic writing and focusing on experiences of love and heartbreak. I believe heartbreak often evokes a deeper emotional response that resonates strongly with readers,” she said.

A range of writers and literary styles influences her work. Among her strongest influences is the Persian poet Rumi, known for timeless reflections on love and spirituality. She also admires contemporary poet Butterfly Rising, whose emotionally raw and reflective writing has inspired many modern readers. Interestingly, Charanee also draws inspiration from literature beyond poetry, including Vincent DiMaio’s book Morgue: A Life in Death, which explores human experiences of mortality.

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Like many poets, Charanee said the biggest challenge in writing poetry is not a lack of inspiration but confronting the deep emotions that often inspire the work. Poetry can require writers to face painful memories or difficult experiences. For her, writing sometimes becomes a form of therapy, allowing her to express and process raw emotions through words.

“Over the years, I achieved several milestones in my poetry journey. I have performed at numerous poetry events and have been published in various collections. One of my biggest highlights includes being published by the Poetry Institute of Africa, as well as being selected among African women featured in an anthology celebrating female poets across the continent,” she added.

More recently, she was featured in the poetry platform Splash of Poetry, an experience she describes as particularly meaningful. The event created a strong sense of community, where poets could openly share their stories and connect through vulnerability and creativity.

She hopes to publish her own anthology in future, which will include a collection of previously unpublished poems reflecting both difficult and proud moments in her life. Through her work, she hopes readers will find comfort in shared experiences and the power of honest storytelling.

“I advise upcoming poets to write regularly and never be afraid to share their truth. I believe expressing personal experiences through poetry can create meaningful connections and remind readers that they are not alone,” she concluded.