by Anna White
Corinne Hackett’s debut poetry collection was published in March earlier this year. With an honest yet comforting approach in its representation of growing up, here’s why this way, a bed is waiting for you is a brilliant read.
Hackett is a fourth-year English with Creative Writing student at the University of Aberdeen. Much of her poetry is inspired by her experience of transitioning from adolescence into adulthood. Despite her explorations of challenging subjects such as grief, mental health, and a negative self-image, she balances these themes with warm and uplifting verses throughout.
Hackett has successfully expressed her poetic voice as one of warmth, kindness, and comfort. She deals with life’s anxieties in a world of trials and triumphs. Whether it be the frustration of learning to drive or fears about leaving home for university, Hackett represents these experiences through caring allusions. By doing this, she provides a ‘safe space’ for her audience, where difficult conversations on life can be comfortably discussed.
Hackett demonstrates the joys of finding herself, whether amongst her friends, cat, or her love of caramel lattes; she shows that while moments of hardship come and go, they teach her that she is free to be happy, celebrate, and dream big. Her message is inspiring and will be ideal for many who are feeling uneasy about entering adulthood.
To get her perspective on her debut poetry collection, I reached out to Corinne Hackett with some questions:
Q: Your narrative voice is soothing to the reader; despite your frustrations, you remind us that we are human. In your own words, how would you describe your narrative voice?
Hackett: I aimed to make sure the tone was soothing and kind. Writing these poems was a healing experience, and I did my best to ensure people would feel the same warmth while reading. Of course, this is my first publication! So, my narrative voice is not yet super polished. It’s something I’ll keep finding and developing as I go! Going forward, every project will have different themes and tones, and I’ll have to adjust my writing to convey them best. But above all else, I’ll do my best to have my voice make people feel like they’re not alone. To be a source of comfort.
Q: At the start of the collection, you discuss entering university. If you could give new students a piece of advice for entering this new stage of adulthood, what would it be?
Hackett: I think we all start university wanting to find ourselves, with an idea of who we want to be and the kind of life we’ll have as a student, which is wonderful, of course! Always dream big. But I would tell first years that it will not happen overnight and to be gentle with yourself as you navigate this new chapter. You may say the wrong things, but you will also find your voice. You may make the wrong friends, but you will also make the right ones. It’s a big step in your life! All you can do is your best, which will look different day to day. But that’s okay. Enjoy every moment for what it is.
Q: In ‘a semester’s act’, you discuss not feeling good enough amongst the other students. Do you have any words of wisdom for students currently feeling this way?
Hackett: It sounds cliche, but you’re not alone in that feeling. I’m a fourth year and can hardly count on one hand the people I’ve met who haven’t felt that way at some point! I think what helped me is this: please don’t spend so much time comparing your journey with others that you completely miss the beauty of your own. The more you celebrate your wins (no matter how small – even getting up and going to a lecture is a big win!), the less you will feel the need to compare yourself to others. And try not to judge people at surface level! They may appear to have ‘figured it out’ but might be fighting battles you know nothing about. Just like you! We are all human. Be kind to yourself and others.
Hackett’s poetry demonstrates how you lose and subsequently find yourself while entering adulthood. I found her verse deeply comforting, and for those seeking reassurance, this will be the perfect book.
