Photo by Yasmine Elsayed
The world of poetry is vast, complex, and different from other forms of art. When words fail, art prevails. Local Vancouver artist and poet Meighan Runnalls merges poetry and art in a storytelling form that elevates the experience, inspiring curiosity and a sense of wonder for her unique approach. That is when words fail; it is a stepping stone, rather than a setback. A new challenge to create a visual piece that best captures her essence. “I write poetry in a very weird way. I picture my poems like a movie, and it’s me attempting to describe the tableau, to describe the image.”
Starting her journey in high school as head of the poetry club, Runnalls explored various poetry genres, especially Spoken word poetry or Slam poetry, a dynamic, performance-based form of expression. Her participation in provincial-wide competitions helped shape her understanding of poetic styles. She later reflected on her experience, hinting at a possible duality in slam poetry that didn’t quite match her personal style, “I realized that my poetry was never slam poetry-written. I learned that in the slam poetry world, you have to be either angry or funny.” Further explaining, “But mine were always more introspective and sad.”
As the years progressed, Runnalls began to view poetry as a form of journaling, moving away from an abstract style to more personal expressions that encapsulate her feelings. This evolution led to her newest creation, The Dogs are Starving, a poetry book named after a poem that delves into her relationship with her father. “The poem that I’m most proud of in my life is about my dad and my horrific relationship with him. I feel like I wrote really good, beautiful metaphors regarding his abuse and his violence. It’s hard because it is a piece of my soul coming out. But I really want people to read it.” She explains that the poetry book will be a compilation of her twenties, inviting readers into her journey and struggles.
While her poetry book will look back on traumatic moments from her life, it also explores reclaiming moments she believed didn’t belong to her. An example of this is her efforts to regain her birthday. While it may sound simple to others, to Runnalls, it was a challenge she had to overcome. Describing how her birthday was not always about her. “My mom has always said that on my birthday, people should give her gifts for bringing us into this world. But the issue is that I don’t feel like I’m a gift.”
“If I break this table
Would they taste the rage
Get that sickly, prickly feeling of sin
If you place that cake in my hands
Must I always resist the lick of the icing
Stickiness forcing a handshake to last
Disgusting.”
While Runnalls draws inspiration from her environment, she continues to strive between her friendships and loved ones to develop her emotional intelligence and improve her penmanship, which takes a complex turn, though disguised as a simple, regular poem at first glance. A subtitled silent film waiting to be read and admired. Her need for love and affection translates beautifully into her work. Her goal is to publish her book by the end of her twenties, symbolizing the end of a very long chapter. She will continue to make art and write poetry “for the rest of forever,” but for now, The Dogs are Starving is her main focus. Her dedication reflects her commitment to her craft and her continuous desire to share her story with others.
Runnalls will be exhibiting her work at the Pancakes and Booze Art Show in Vancouver on April 30th. To keep up with further developments in Runnalls’ art and writing journey, you can find her on Instagram: @captainsartt
Leave a Reply