Date of Award
Spring 4-20-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
May 2026
Department
English
College Granting Degree
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Department Granting Degree
English
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Becka McKay
Abstract
This essay reflects on the creative and intellectual journey behind my poetry thesis, charting my shift from technical proficiency toward emotional and ethical conviction. Early in my writing life, I relied on distance, observation, and craft to maintain control over difficult subjects. Over time, I recognized that this approach limited the depth and honesty of my work. Guided by the influence of writers including Lucille Clifton, Ross Gay, Toni Morrison, Safiya Sinclair, Natalie Diaz, and Ada Limón, I reconsidered my relationship to form, audience, and cultural specificity. I began to see poetry not as a space for performance, but for presence. By centering themes of poverty, family history, and survival, I sought forms that honored the complexity of these experiences. This essay documents how my thesis became an exercise in choosing emotional truth over technical safety.
Recommended Citation
Reaves, Mattie Denise, "UNTITLED 01" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 336.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general/336