Merthyr Poet Georgia Griffiths Highlights the Therapeutic Power of Spoken Word

Griffiths emphasizes her hope that individuals from working-class backgrounds will feel inspired by her Valleys accent to write and share their own poetry. The hashtag "poetry" currently has over 93 million posts on Instagram, showcasing a significant interest in the medium.

"We're living in a very political climate and people have a lot to say," Griffiths stated, noting the surge of poetry videos appearing on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Her work often addresses themes such as domestic violence, Welsh identity, and working-class experiences.

Reflecting on her upbringing, she acknowledges the influence of her creative father, who encouraged her to pursue what she loved without focusing solely on financial success. "I just used to write poems about my friends and I would share them with people," she explained.

Griffiths moved to Australia at 18, where she faced personal struggles following the suicide of a close friend. Inspired to write a poem in his memory, she later shared it during a memorial event upon returning to Wales. The strong connection others felt to her words led to more performance opportunities and motivated her to publish a poetry book.

She explained how spontaneous moments in daily life often spark her creative process, whether it’s a conversation on public transport or news events that resonate with her. Her writing style is characterized as "real, raw, and honest," using accessible language to reach a wider audience.

Griffiths strives to amplify voices that are often overlooked, especially from her working-class background. She has recently achieved notable recognition, competing in a slam poetry competition in Paris, winning at Glastonbury Festival, and receiving an invitation to perform in Madagascar.

Fellow poet Matt Nõmme from Cardiff, 35, shares similar sentiments about the accessibility of poetry as a medium for self-expression. He began writing in 2019 while awaiting care at an A&E, and by 2023, gained the courage to perform at an open mic night. He focuses on creating comedic poetry that resonates even with those unfamiliar with the art form.

Nõmme often draws inspiration from local experiences, like a viral poem about tourism at Pen Y Fan. He encourages others to embrace writing, asserting that it requires nothing more than a pen and paper. "There's really no excuse not to write," he said, highlighting the liberating nature of capturing ideas in any environment.

Both Griffiths and Nõmme demonstrate how poetry can serve as a powerful tool for personal expression and connection in an increasingly complex world.