Interview by Ivana Lin
What was your inspiration for your poem “Time Not”?
“Time Not” was inspired by the everyday grind — the kind of day where everything feels scheduled before you even open your eyes. I wrote it from the feeling of rushing, working in the cold, dealing with bosses who talk at you instead of to you, and trying to hold yourself together when it feels like there’s never enough time. It came from the real, lived pressure of balancing work, responsibility, and exhaustion. The poem is my way of capturing that.
What draws you to write poetry?
I’m drawn to poetry because it lets me say things the way they actually make me feel, not just the way they sound. It lets me take things that can be stressful or heavy and turn it into something meaningful. I can be honest without holding back.
Do you think there is a silver lining to a day like the one described in your poem?
Yes — even in a day that feels draining, there’s a silver lining. “Time Not” shows the struggle, but it also shows resilience. The fact that you get through the day, that you keep moving even when time feels against you, says something about strength. Those moments should remind you of your endurance, your discipline, and your ability to push through, and that’s the silver lining.
Read Tima Smallwood’s poem “Time Not” here.
Shatima Smallwood is a student at LaGuardia majoring in biology. Her English professor inspired her to start writing and to submit her work. Instagram handle: Tima Marcus.
