Episode 13. A Conversation with Fidencia Solomon

In this episode, Maria and Deirdre interview Fidencia Solomon, whose poem, "Looking for Change," was published in Seventeen magazine when she was fifteen. Her poem has since been republished, both in print and online, and has gained a whole new readership. Fidencia tells us how she happened to write the poem, and gives us some good tips on how to write what you love and love what you write! Here is the text of her poem. LOOKING FOR CHANGE I run into a phone booth, digging through my coat pockets for some change. Instead I pull out a handful of old gum wrappers and a stale Hershey bar that I never got around to eating. Three unemployed hairpins that once kept the hair off my face. A note I meant to send to my best friend, unopened ketchup packets from recent binges at Mickey D's. A shiny gold locket with a broken clasp …and a broken heart.… I find a tissue to wipe away a single tear running down my cheek, and still no change. — Fidencia Solomon, age 15, Brooklyn, New York