A spark of inspiration: A K-State poetry perspective with Aly Acevedo ’19 and Kansas Poet Laureate Traci Brimhall
Paints. Ink. Glass. Chalk. Fabric. Paper. Clay. Song. Wood. Metal. Dance.
The mediums used to create works of art offer an endless array of possibilities for
exploration and expression, allowing an artist to share a piece of themselves with
the world. And for Aly Acevedo ’19 and Traci Brimhall, their medium of choice is the
written word.
The words Acevedo weaves together to form her poems are inspired by her journey through
life, and serve as a lens to examine the human experience. And for Brimhall, even
ordinary moments have the power to spark her urge to craft a poem, such as watching
a bird in flight.
Acevedo is a K-State graduate in communications studies, and her upcoming book, My Dear Cult Leader, is being published by Button Poetry. Brimhall is a professor in K-State’s Department
of English and is the current Poet Laureate of Kansas.
We asked Acevedo and Brimhall to share more about the inspiration behind their poetry,
and how their K-State experiences have impacted them as writers.
Aly Acevedo ’19
How have your experiences at K-State impacted or influenced you as a writer?
When I attended K-State, I was part of the K-State Speech Team. That experience was
one of the most influential for me as both a creator and a performer. Many of the
skills I practiced on the team still shape my work today. For example, learning how
to organize my scripts taught me how to arrange poems within a book — each piece speaking
to the next page. I also learned how to perform in front of audiences and use tone,
voice and movement to convey emotion and draw people in.
The coaches, Craig Brown ’82, ’85 and Darren Epping-Fuentes ’06, welcomed every idea
and encouraged us to take risks. In fact, two poems in my upcoming book, My Dear Cult Leader (Button Poetry, 2026), were inspired by pieces I performed during my time at K-State.
Overall, I can honestly say I am the poet I am today because of my experience on that
team.
What inspires your poetry? How would you describe your personal writing style/philosophy?
My poetry is largely inspired by my own life experiences, which I use as a lens to
explore the broader human experience. I want readers to encounter my work and feel
as though they’ve been given a voice, even when they aren’t the ones speaking.
Stylistically, I love experimenting with form — especially how white space on the
page can shape meaning — while pairing that with raw honesty. Every creative choice
I make is intentional: either to create a connection across the page or to challenge
myself to grow as a writer.
What excites you most about modern poetry and the possibilities ahead for this artistic
medium?
What excites me most about modern poetry is the way it thrives in an age of accessibility
and community. I see this in two main ways: first, we now have access to an endless
library of poems, forms and conversations online. You can learn a new poetic structure
instantly or find a writing community across the world. Second, poetry today invites
collaboration — you can credit another poet’s work, build on their idea, and create
something new through your own perspective.
For me, this openness has stretched my creative brain and given me the freedom to
experiment. I’ve learned so much from my peers and from the communities I’m part of.
Looking ahead, I think the possibilities for poetry are only expanding — whether it’s
new submission opportunities becoming more accessible, social media connecting poets
to fresh audiences, or online communities helping writers with shared goals grow together.
Right now, if you’re interested in poetry, there are more ways than ever to be part
of the conversation.
What is the title of your favorite poem you have ever written, and why is it meaningful
to you?
In my upcoming book, my favorite poem I’ve written is It Was Midnight in Michigan. It’s meaningful to me for several reasons. My first book represents a true culmination
of who I was up until the moment I wrote it — all my vivid memories, the stories I
retell, and the scars I needed to heal.
This particular poem captures a time when I was struggling with depression. It tells
a journey that ends with the realization that I wanted to live. That moment changed
everything for me, and the poem holds the weight of that choice. It’s also deeply
tied to my K-State roots, since I once performed a piece based on this story with
the Speech Team. For me, it’s not just a poem — it’s a turning point in my life captured
on the page.
Traci Brimhall
How have your experiences at K-State impacted or influenced you as a writer?
I love reading poems that engage my curiosity and teach me things about the world,
so I tend to write poems that do the same. Being on a campus with all sorts of curious
and bright people who teach me new things and get me asking new questions definitely
trickles down into my poems.
What inspires your poetry? How would you describe your personal writing style/philosophy?
I think everything has the potential to be inspiration. It just depends on what's
itching my brain at the moment. I also tend to braid together multiple ideas and inspirations
into a single poem rather than to write a dozen lines about a bird. For me, a bird
ends up making me think about love and history and that time I helped tag birds with
scientists and also then about ecology and somehow also my son. So a poem, for me,
is always about distilling the chaos of my brain, throwing a net of language over
things that are hard to describe or contain.
What excites you most about modern poetry and the possibilities ahead for this artistic
medium?
Poetry is one of the oldest art forms in the world. There's a poetic tradition on
every continent (except, you know, Antartica). Even though rules about rhyme, meter,
forms and poetic conventions have changed over the years, it has been a way to tell
stories and share emotions, and I don't think that will ever change. Contemporary
poetry is incredibly diverse in forms, themes and styles, and I like that there's
something out there for everyone.
What is the title of your favorite poem you have ever written, and why is it meaningful
to you?
I'm not sure I have a favorite poem, but my favorite one to read to others is I Would Do Anything For Love But I Won't, which gets its title from an early ’90s song. I think the poem is funny, and it
often gets laughs. And it's extra hard (in my opinion) to be funny in a poem!