From South Dakota to Samoa: A poet’s journey

The move from South Dakota, U.S.A. to Samoa has been a long and interesting journey and not just in terms of distance for academic and poet, Jackie Fa’asisila.

‘Endless Circles, South Dakota to Samoa’ her recently-published collection of poetry, speaks of the “universality of life, love and loss” while tracing her life’s path in three sections.

The Looking Inward section explores her roots and journey to Samoa as well as some of the challenges from a person who sees Samoa from looking in.

“Looking Outward poems deal with the issues of globalization and social change that challenge Samoa and other small island states,” says Jackie.

The final poems deal with “…transitions on a variety of levels and reflections on the ever-widening circles of life.”

Her interest in poetry was born just three years ago, after she had attended a S.P.A.C.L.A.L.S. Literary Festival at the National University of Samoa. Celebrated poet, Konai Thaman and a panel of young, story writers in a Samoa Observerpromoted competition, provided the impetus she needed to write.

“I’m going to be a poet,” Jackie said to her group of SIT Study Abroad students. When this announcement was accepted without surprise, she sat down and wrote her first poem, Edits of my Life.

Whilst having great admiration for Konai Thaman, Jackie said she hasn’t really studied poetry.

“I read a lot of stuff, not poetry. My programme for students is experiential learning so I jump in the deep end. I have only written what comes out of me.

Poetry has been a way to open a box of emotions.” But writing about emotions has just been a beginning and a catalyst for other topics such as traditional society in transition and contemporary issues.

“Since I began writing in 2012, it’s perhaps understandable that I have written many poems about the environment, the tsunami and associated disasters.”

“Two poets I’d like to give credit to are, Afemata Apelu Aiavao and Sapa’u Ruperake Petaia.,” she said. “They were on a panel on the last day of that SPACLALS conference and I remember what they said. Afemata said to write about what you know and Sapa’u said you need to play with words.”

“I did, I could,” she said, “so anybody can be a poet.”

Others who supported and encouraged her were the English staff at N.U.S.

particularly Sister Vitolio and Momoe Malietoa von Reiche.

“Momoe helpfully critiqued my poems suggesting I use fewer words and make every word count.”

Eliciting an emotional response from readers is one of the joys of writing poetry, Jackie said.

“I also like to play with words, working, thinking, changing. You can be dramatic and you allow the reader to discover how so much of life is universal. You can say things in poems that may not be said any other way.”

As for performance poetry, “Poetry by poets like Sia Figiel are meant to be heard,” said Jackie. “You get a different feel when a poet reads it.”

“After you’ve heard Sia, her voice is always in her words, so yes I would like to read my poems.”

As for future writing, Jackie said there may be poetry for younger readers.

“I haven’t really explored poetry for primary school level, the issues have fitted more into secondary and tertiary levels.”

In fact she has already received a formal request from a California College, Cerito, asking for permission to use her work as part of the curriculum for a second year class. “They are interested in diversity and have a large number of Samoan students.”

“What has encouraged me,” said Jackie, “is that I don’t like all poetry I hear and read. So it’s ok if people don’t like my poetry. I am simply writing to be heard.”

Going full circle, Jackie hopes to officially launch her poetry collection at the 2015 SPACLALS conference, at the National University of Samoa. Another circle completed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (Blurb taken from ‘Endless Circles’) Born and raised on a family ranch in rural South Dakota, Jackie completed a BA in Education and an MA in American History at the University of Missouri- Kansas City. She was invited by Peace Corps to develop a social studies curriculum in Western Samoa and served as a Peace Corps volunteer from 1972 to 1977. She taught at the Teachers’ Training College and later the first ever Form Five class at Lepa Junior Secondary School in the rural district of Aleipata. In 1975, she married a Samoan matai and they have four children.

Jackie worked in a variety of educational settings in Samoa as well as serving as a Peace Corps staff trainer and consultant in a number of Pacific countries including Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Kiribati.

She has been the Academic Director for World Learning’s SIT Study Abroad programme in Samoa since 1996.

Since her husband’s death in 2001, shortly after their 25th wedding anniversary, she continues to work with SIT students and resides in Samoa with her children and seven grandchildren.

Jackie attended the November 2012 SPACLALS Literary Festival held at the National University of Samoa and was inspired to try her hand at poetry. Endless Circles, her first collection of poetry, examines some of the key influences and experiences of her journey from South Dakota to Samoa.