Drawing upon only a minimal 13 years of life experience, eighth grade Glen Este Middle School student Matt Chalmers has found a creative outlet in writing poetry.
Elements of both light and darkness permeate throughout his prolific poem collection; his poems are passionate reflections drawn from personal turmoil and discontent, sprinkled with themes of loneliness and despair. Sometimes somber in tone, the poems seamlessly mix adolescent angst with a modern and mature grasp of social commentary.
Chalmers’ prodigious talent was discovered by Middle School Guidance Counselor Heather Snyder and G.E. Gifted Education specialist Scarlet Meyer.
“Every once in a while, a raw talent like this emerges,” Meyer said. “Heather showed me his extraordinary work and I was introduced to his talent. In all of my years of education I have never seen someone as prolific and passionate about writing as Matt is.”
Chalmers started writing poems two years ago but only recently started saving his work. He writes from personal experience, savoring the details of the way he sees and feels things at any particular moment, he said. He writes every day, and has written 25 poems since Thanksgiving.