By Mashiat Azmi
At age 11, Long Island author Cheryl Williams’ world turned upside down. Her mother, who was diagnosed with high blood pressure, suffered a stroke, and suddenly Williams became the primary caretaker for both her mother and her two younger siblings. Despite these difficult circumstances, Williams found peace in art.
Growing up in a tough neighborhood in the Town of Babylon, she was bullied because of her difficult situation. “Poetry, music and writing were my childhood lifeline,” she said. “I started singing and reciting poems at age 11.”
In early April, Williams hosted a Long Island Authors Poetry Reading at the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association in South Huntington to connect and support the Long Island literary community during National Poetry Month.
The event showcased the work of poets Jennifer Gibaldi of Oceanside, Selin Senol-Akin of New York City, Deborah L. Staunton of Port Jefferson and Eddie Adelman of Belfast, Maine, who grew up in New York City. During the event, Williams gave out a basket of merchandise and copies of her book, “A Collection of Poems: A Journey,” which was published in 2018.
Williams, a registered nurse, poet and author, is using her voice to advocate for others. Since 2019, she has held annual poetry readings at the North Babylon Public Library for National Poetry Month, although the events experienced a dip in attendance during the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, organizers built immersive experiences by uniting themes with decorations, prizes and music.
Her latest children’s book, “The Brightest Star that Shines Tonight,” published last June, was dedicated to her mother, who died when Williams reached adulthood. The book is intended to help children deal with death and loss. Her interest in nursing comes from her childhood experience with caring for her mother. Williams is planning another poetry event in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which she spearheads without external funding.
“I spend money from my pocket,” she said. Her family is also supportive, helping with soundchecks and raffles. “My husband and sons are a big support system overall,” Williams said.
Most of the other authors at the recent event also work full-time jobs; some are mothers as well. They write during their breaks from work and express themselves through poetry.
Whether it’s a crowded train or in the waiting room of a doctor’s office, New York-based author, language instructor and human rights activist Selin Senol-Akin finds her inspiration. Whenever she discovers an idea for her writings, she notes it on her iPhone.
“I usually write on a train, in a waiting room or somewhere for the doctors,” she said. “I take out the Notes app on my iPhone and jot down the emotions.” According to Akin, poetry is like “writing in a diary.”
Senol-Akin started writing poetry before the pandemic, attending open mic nights in Manhattan and sharing her poetry and her passion for it with others. Now she distributes her work on Instagram.
Deborah L. Staunton, who grew up in Port Jefferson, said her writing process is inconsistent because of her federal job as a tax examiner and her family responsibilities, but she finds discipline and inspiration in workshops and conferences.
Because of the recent mass layoffs of federal workers, it has been difficult for her and her family, she said. “I’ve been working for 24 years,” she said. “We’re going through a lot right now where our jobs are on the line.”
Staunton’s love for reading and books started in third grade when her teacher at Norwood Avenue Elementary in Port Jefferson Station read “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” first published in 1950. From a young age, she started writing in journals.
Staunton’s 20-year-old daughter inspired one of her books, “Untethered,” a memoir in poetry and short prose about the multigenerational mental illness that runs in her family, published in 2023. “Writing is my way of coping with it. It’s very much connected to my experience with raising my daughter,” she said.
Staunton’s latest book, “Owls Can’t Sing, “published in 2024, was also inspired by her daughter. “It was written many, many years ago,” Staunton said. Her daughter was studying owls in school. That is when Staunton decided to write about a girl who struggles to fall asleep and wonders if she is part owl. One night, an owl shadow appears on her wall, and she and the owl start playing. Eventually, the girl realizes she is not part owl and falls asleep.
As a full-time administrative assistant for Comfort Kool HVAC, an installation, maintenance and service company in Westbury, Jennifer Gibaldi is often inspired by pictures, music or personal emotions. Growing up in Bellmore, she frequented the local library.
Her family plays a vital role in and is the inspiration for her writings. Her grandmother, mother and teachers helped her to see the world through other people’s perspectives and enter the world of poetry.
She plans to participate in the Breast Cancer Awareness Month event in October. “I look forward to showing my support to this amazing community,” Gibaldi said.
Poetry is a form of human connection, Senol-Akin said. “It’s like human connectivity, like what you’re feeling, but maybe what you’re afraid to express,” she said. “And you feel like you’re not alone, so it’s a good feeling.”
