Insights from Taylor Swift's Elementary School Teacher on Her Passion for Poetry

Feature Taylor Swift Elementary School Teacher Says She Always Wrote Poetry

Taylor Swift Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Taylor Swift has been a poet since she was a child. Her former elementary school teacher, Barbara Kolvek, recently shared with CBS Philadelphia that the 34-year-old singer has always had a deep connection with poetry. This was revealed following the release of her album, The Tortured Poets Department.

Kolvek shared in an interview published on Saturday, April 20, that Swift was always writing poetry, even in music class when she shouldn't have been. The retired teacher, who taught Swift from first through fourth grade at Wyndcroft School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, also mentioned that she gave the young performer her first singing solo, which was titled "Fast Talk Freddie."

The pair have kept in touch over the years through exchanging emails. Kolvek mentioned, "I feel like I may have given her a little spark or encouragement for what she was doing."

Before releasing TTPD, Swift included references to her love for poetry and literature in her work. One example is her tribute to Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken" in the song "The Outside" from her debut album. In the song, she sings, "I tried to take the road less traveled by. But nothing seems to work the first few times, am I right?"

Taylor Swift Elementary School Teacher Says She Always Wrote Poetry

Taylor Swift Ashok Kumar/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

In 2010, Taylor Swift shared that she found inspiration in Dr. Seuss' words to start writing her own poetry.

During a talk at Scholastic headquarters, she mentioned, "Many people who love music are also drawn to poetry because the words flow with a rhythm and fit together perfectly. I adore poetry because when you nail it, when you place the right rhymes at the right spots, you can make the words come alive off the page."

Taylor Swift revealed that she submitted her poem "Monster in My Closet" to a national poetry contest in fourth grade. Although she didn't win, the poem still managed to place in the competition. A fan recently uncovered Swift's poem and shared a screenshot of her words in 2022.

In the poem, Swift starts by saying, "There's a monster in my closet and I don't know what to do! Have you ever seen him? Has he ever pounced on you?" She goes on to wonder about the monster's appearance, questioning if he is purple with red eyes and what he likes to eat or how big he is.

She concluded, “If he’s nice, I’ll name him ‘Happy.’ / If he’s bad I’ll name him ‘Grouch.’ / I suspect that he is leaving, but if not… I’ll kick him out!”

Editor's P/S:

This article showcases Taylor Swift's early passion for poetry, which has been a constant throughout her career. Her elementary school teacher's recollections highlight Swift's innate talent for writing and her dedication to the craft. Despite her initial setbacks in poetry contests, Swift's love for language and storytelling has never waned.

Beyond her personal experiences, the article also delves into the broader connection between music and poetry. Swift's use of literary references and the rhythmic nature of her lyrics demonstrate the interplay between these two art forms. Her ability to translate her poetic ideas into captivating songs speaks to her versatility as an artist and her deep understanding of the power of words.