Poetry and spoken word entered my life in 2023 through conversations with my late uncle. I would call him every night, poetry book in hand, and ask him to pick a page. I noticed how healing this was for both of us, how the words on the page reached us on different levels, and how, often, it was exactly what we needed to hear on that given day. One day, I found myself sitting on the beach, taking in the view, and the words began to flow. That night, I read my uncle that poem, and haven’t stopped writing since. All of my work is dedicated to him, and it has made our bond eternal. Poetry creates and deepens our connection to ourselves, each other, and the natural world around us. 

The common thread throughout my current body of work is the concept of nature mirroring the self. It focuses deeply on the interspecial communication that exists between humans and the natural world: the elementals, animals, and  sentient beings. I believe that each species and each element has a spirit that communicates with us when we allow ourselves to listen. My work gives voice to those who speak beyond the realm of words, and yet leave us with a sense of deep resonance through messages, lessons and reflection. It invites us to see ourselves in the natural world around us, and to see the wild elemental nature of our very selves.

It’s very spontaneous. Words can really begin to flow at any moment. For me, the creative process cannot be rushed or forced. The words flow intuitively and in their own time. I do always try to create pockets of stillness in my day where I focus my attention on my surroundings, not with the intention of writing something, but it is often in those moments that the words flow.

Honestly, the world around me. It can be an interaction with a loved one, observing the elements, or the presence of an animal or plant. It’s the simple things. I find these carry the most profound messages, and they can be found everywhere.

My poetry often intertwines the individual and the natural world, viewing what occurs in nature and human life as one. It shares the voices of the elements, animals and plants, inviting readers and listeners to receive insight. In its essence, it aims to break down the barriers of interspecial communication, feel the spirit of those beyond human form, and understand that they are constantly whispering to us. In longer form content (on Substack), I speak about universal truths and personal reflections, all inspired by the earth and the ether.

Absolutely. The interconnectedness of all things, Unity Consciousness,  is at the core of my work, alongside the Law of Correspondence i.e. what we see in our external reality is a mirror of our internal world.

For me, living a creative life is centered around awareness and trust. It means opening yourself up to truly take in your surroundings and the subtle, or no-so-subtle lessons that come into your awareness when you engage yourself in the present. It is a journey towards the deepest form of trust. In choosing to live a creative life, you learn to trust yourself, your instincts and believe that what you create is worth sharing. It teaches you that trying is always worth it, and that your voice, your gifts and your art deserve to be seen and heard, whatever form they take.

The freedom it brings into all aspects of my life. It has allowed me to break free from the rigid mindset I had clung to throughout my youth by opening me up to new perspectives. I see beyond the surface and the superficial into the unseen, the depths. Poetry, spoken word and storytelling allow me to transform my inner world into tangible expression that spreads far and wide, reaching and meeting people where they are at.

Let yourself be inspired by anything and everything. Allow yourself to explore your relationship to creativity. And, if how you have learnt to define it makes it something unreachable, I invite you to blur the lines that keep it, and you, contained. Creativity, in its essence, is expression, and everyone has their unique way of expressing themselves. Let yourself find yours, and know that nothing is stupid or silly, that your journey is yours, and it’s personal. It is your story, your way of connecting with yourself and leaving your legacy on this Earth.

The best places to connect with me and my work is on Instagram @rachael_ball_ , my Substack and my website.

Yes, it fills my heart with joy and excitement to share that I am releasing my first ever publication, Ayna: The Poetry Oracle, this August with pre-orders starting in late June. More details coming soon over on my Instagram and Substack.

I will also be facilitating at Synergy Festival this June, Rewild this July and a few more exciting events yet to be announced.