‘Sabiha Writes Poetry’

Interviewed by: Kulsum Hafeji

1.     Tell us a little bit about your background. Do you come from a literary background?

St. Barnabas Library. Photograph: Peter Halliday

I was always encouraged to read. My parents do not come from literary backgrounds themselves, but they were keen to ensure that my siblings and I did well in school. They themselves were both born and raised in India.

My mother, however, took us to St. Barnabas Library every Saturday whilst we were growing up and that is where my love of reading comes from. St. Barnabas Library is still a place I visit regularly. The Libby App has been a blessing during the pandemic as I can still borrow books from the library albeit e-books.

2.     Which poets did you enjoy reading when you were younger?

Allan Ahlberg’s “Each Peach Pear Plum” and Roald Dahl’s “Revolting Rhymes” are books I seem to remember from a very early age. Then there was Philip Larkin and Craig Raine that I associate with A Level English Literature. Sujata Bhatt, Imtiaz Dharker and Moniza Alvi are poets I remember from when I first started teaching. They all write very differently and all have had an impact on me.

3.     Did you write poetry as a child?

I remember writing poetry whilst I was at university, but I am not sure if I was writing much before then. I do also remember having a friend who claimed to write poetry in Urdu / Persian which always fascinated me. Songs, Nasheeds, Qawwalis are all forms of poetry too and although I wasn’t necessarily writing, these were art forms that I was exposed to.

4. What are some of your favourite Songs, Nasheeds or Qawwalis?

I am old school and so I’m still very fond of Talib al Habib's nasheeds. I have had the opportunity to hear him perform live on a couple of occasions. Maher Zain's Radhitu Billahi Rabba caught my attention whilst listening to Ramadan FM during lockdown.

5.     How did you get started as a poet?

Not long after I started teaching, I remember inter-railing around Europe one summer holiday. Lots of photographs were taken on that trip but I also remember writing poems whilst travelling on the trains.

Sabiha attending a zoom poetry class. Submitted: @sabihawritespoetry

Since then, I have completed various courses where there have been more opportunities to write. The Arvon Foundation runs a variety of courses aimed at writers - they also offer discounts to teachers which is always a good thing! I attended a course at their Lumb Bank Centre a couple of years ago and met many budding writers and poets from the UK and overseas. The Garsdale Retreat is another organisation that offers a writer’s retreat and the food is amazing too.

Further, I have just completed a master’s degree in Creative Writing. This year’s journey entails launching my Instagram page: @sabihawritespoetry. It is an idea that I have been toying with for a while. It finally felt like the right time to make my work more public.


6. How do your poems develop? Please guide us through your process in creating your poems, what/who inspires you to write?

Submitted: @sabihawritespoetry

I don’t follow a particular pattern. I usually find that I have a thought and it develops into a few lines and then a collection of phrases and then, finally, a poem. I have a couple of notebooks where I jot down ideas. I then revisit these and tweak a few words. Currently, I am completing a course with York University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning. I have discovered these short courses are great for injecting a bit of creativity and inspiration into my everyday life.

7. Who are your favourite living/dead poets?

My favourite poet - is a difficult question to answer. Rupi Kaur is someone who I discovered a few years ago. I find that she is able to say poignant things within a few lines. This is very powerful. Both her “the sun and her flowers” and her “milk and honey” contain some super poems. I have not yet read all the poems in her new collection, but I do know she discusses contemporary issues and also addresses themes relating to the struggles of living through a pandemic.

8.  What do you aim to convey through your poetry?

I write about what comes to me,  sometimes I write about love, other times I write about hate. Families, culture, travel and food. There are so many topics to write about. I try not to limit my thoughts to the conventional and prefer to explore new ideas. 

9.     What is poetry to you?

Poetry is a way in which I can write down the thoughts that are often whirring around inside my head. I like to see these thoughts on paper. I have also discovered that others often share the same thoughts, but they may not have the words with which to express these ideas. I guess therein lies the inspiration to write.

About Poet: Sabiha is a full time teacher and part time poet. She was born in Leicester, and despite escaping to various parts of the country and the world, she always returns. For Sabiha, Leicester has a special way of luring back its own! She is currently back home, post lockdown and is enjoying reconnecting with her family and friends.