JERSEY SHORE - Jennifer Miller Carboni is delving into a topic not many people think about: why doesn't anybody read poetry anymore?
"Sadly, I really do believe that the majority of Americans have no interest in reading poetry," Miller Carboni said. "I cannot tell you exactly why. Maybe people are intimidated by it. Maybe people find it difficult to understand."
Miller Carboni is the author of the recently published book, "No One Reads Poetry Anymore, Vol. 1."
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Jennifer Miller Carboni
She grew up in the Montoursville and Lock Haven areas, graduating from Jersey Shore Area High School in 2000.
"I believe what I write can be very relatable to the average person. I don't follow rigid styles. I just write what I feel," she said "It is genuine and raw. I wouldn't call it 'proper' poetry, but 'freestyle poetry.' "
Miller Carboni has been writing since she was in elementary school, realizing she wanted to be a writer at a young age.
"Ever since elementary school, I've also written poetry. This is not something that most people know about me. And this is the first time I've gone public with this style of writing. I love poetry because in reality, there are no rules. I love that a poem can have multiple meanings, symbolism, and you can say what you're feeling without saying it directly; instead by painting a picture with words. It's a great way to get out emotions from life and often is therapeutic," she said.
For Miller Carboni, life is her biggest inspiration for her poems.
"I also write about family members and their experiences as well as what my friends are going through. It's often about relationships, love, pain. I don't get into things that are political. I write about what we all go through in our lives when it comes to our relationships with people," she said. "So sadly, I'm typically in a somber mood when I write, because I write about struggles in relationships or negative things that happened during childhood. But I also write about love in a positive way, so my book is not complete sadness. It covers hurt and hope, pain and joy."
Miller Carboni studied at West Chester University, where she earned a degree in communication studies with a minor in journalism. She then went to the University of Illinois at Springfield, where she earned a master's degree in public affairs reporting.
"After working in Washington, D.C., at an environmental newsletter, I moved back to West Chester to work for the Daily Local News as a news reporter," she said.
An award-winning journalist, she now has 10 years of experience and was once a part-time reporter for the Sun-Gazette.
Journalism was a dream that Miller Carboni realized at a young age, as well.
"Writing has always been a passion of mine. I knew in elementary school that I wanted to be a newspaper reporter," she said. "I loved the idea of being the first to report breaking news to the public. I believe journalism is a public service."
Miller Carboni now is the news director for WCHE 1520-AM in West Chester.
She lives in Thorndale, West Chester County, with her husband, two stepchildren and two dogs.
"No One Reads Poetry Anymore, Vol. 1" is available on Amazon.com.
