In this intimate conversation, Chilean poet Maria Elizabeth Freire shares her unplanned entrance into poetry; a process marked by landscapes, both local and faraway, solitude, and profound motherhood experiences. Her first life as a student saw the power of words just awakening in the mind, whereas the silent deserts and windswept southern coasts witnessed more powered cries: her first complete poems urging to be heard. These musings acknowledge a deepening relationship with poetry as a way not just to create but as a bridge over change, loneliness, and searching for meaning across continents.
1. When did you first discover your interest in writing, and what made you pursue poetry in particular?
Honestly, I never imagined I had the ability to write, much less to create poetry. However, in terms of writing in general, I believe my interest in it was born in 2009, while I was studying at university. As for poetry, I feel it arrived unexpectedly, like a gift and a form of expression. Without a doubt, landscapes, people, and books that have accompanied my life have influenced that particular interest.
You mentioned discovering your interest in writing during university—what did you study, and do you feel your academic background has influenced your poetry or creative expression in any way?
I studied Public Relations, and it was there that I discovered that analysis and writing subjects, as well as presentations, came easily to me. Many of my classmates told me I had a “gift for words,” which further sparked my interest in writing overall. In university, we had to write many articles and participate in journalism workshops, which allowed me to familiarize myself with literature and words in a different way. It was not just about reading, but understanding the underlying meaning of texts, observing, and “reading between the lines,” as my professors used to say.
Do you remember the first complete poem you wrote? Where were you at the time, and how did that place shape the experience or influence the poem itself?
I had always been writing short phrases on Facebook, notes in my phone, or in any notebook I found, but I never managed to finish a complete poem until 2015, when I became unemployed. During that time, I was living with my mother in Colbún, a small rural town where I was born and raised, in the Seventh Region of Chile. Faced with difficulties finding work in my profession, I decided to apply for jobs in different cities. That’s how I received a call from the municipality of María Elena, the last active saltpeter mine in the country, located in the desert. Although I felt that place wasn’t truly my home, I deeply admired the arid landscape and the starry nights I could observe there. In that context, my first complete poem was born, titled “Under the Starry Mantle.” The loneliness and beauty of the desert profoundly influenced my creativity, allowing me to channel my emotions and thoughts into words.
Your first poem was shaped by the solitude and beauty of the desert. Since then, you’ve lived in various places—how have these changing landscapes and communities shaped you, both personally and as a poet?
Yes, despite the enormous impact of living in the desert for the first time and how its landscapes propelled me to create poetry, I also felt that it was not my place in the world. Once my temporary job was over, I decided to move to the far south of Chile, to Chiloé, where I worked as a university teacher, leading workshops on communication, conflict resolution, and the use of ICTs at work, among others. During this time, I kept writing; my motivation for composing was related to the southern landscapes, the wind, and its strength. But was that year when I decided to move to Canada.
You mentioned that your time in Chiloé still nourished your writing, but it was also when you decided to move to Canada. What inspired that decision, and how did the transition affect you—both personally and in your creative journey?
Although I was captivated by the stunning scenery and the friendliness of the people in southern Chile, my thoughts were focused on Canada— a country I had only learned about through books and TV. I was truly intrigued by its culture, landscapes, and the Northern Lights. Driven by my sister’s encouragement and with just a month to activate my Working Holiday visa, I purchased a ticket for my birthday in May 2017 and relocated to Canada in June of that year, settling in Banff, Alberta, where I worked as a housekeeper on Elk Avenue.
Arriving in Canada and starting work as a housekeeper must have been a significant change from your academic and teaching background. How did that shift affect you, and did it bring any unexpected insights or themes into your poetry?
Throughout my life, I have had many jobs, ranging from fruit picker, hostess, promoter, among others. However, it was my first time working as a housekeeper. Although it was very exhausting and completely different from what I did in Chile, this experience led me to meet the love of my life: my partner, husband, and father of my only child. Regarding poetry, it took a back seat due to exhaustion and lack of time.
You mentioned that poetry took a back seat during that period, though you’ve always been jotting down fragments. When inspiration returns, how do you approach the process of shaping those fragments into a complete poem?
In the beginning, I used to write small phrases that I would collect, weave together, and shape. I always had trouble with endings and titles; I had to review and revise repeatedly. For this reason, finishing my first book (which is not yet published) took a long time. Currently, stories come more quickly and easily to my mind; but when they do, I need to have a pencil or my phone ready to write until I finish the poem. So, the second book was much faster, though it is still undergoing revisions
You’ve shared how your writing process has grown over time. How has becoming a mother influenced that journey—both in terms of inspiration and in finding the time and space to write?
Dealing with motherhood and the distance from my family and friends was difficult and complex, especially when we moved from Banff, Alberta, to Gatineau, Quebec. My husband worked outside the home, and I spent most of my time alone with my baby. It was during these moments that poetry returned to me with greater strength; I needed a way to express myself. I also started writing articles for a Canadian-Mexican magazine, “Latinos Magazine,” and volunteering at a marketing and public relations agency, “Professional and Coffee.” I remember that while I was taking showers or when my baby was sleeping, small phrases came to me that needed to be written down. I began collecting these phrases until they became poems about love, time, loneliness, landscapes, and everything I saw in my daily life.
That solitude—especially during early motherhood—brought poetry back into your life. What role does solitude play in your creative process now? Do you still find inspiration in those quiet, reflective moments?
Loneliness is a recurring theme in my poems. Stillness makes me travel, fly with my imagination, and connect faster and more precisely with words and stories.
Beyond poetry, you’ve written articles and volunteered in communication roles. How did those opportunities arise, and what impact have they had on you—both creatively and professionally?
As I mentioned earlier, being a new mother abroad without a support network (except for my husband) made me feel very lonely. I needed to explore new horizons, change my routine a bit, and express myself. I started researching online jobs from home until I found “Latinos Magazine,” where I contributed writings on various topics related to the Latino community. Additionally, I volunteered at a marketing and public relations agency, wanting to learn how this area works in Canada and grow in this field too.
You’ve written two books that remain unpublished. Could you tell us a bit about each of them—what they’re about and what inspired their titles?
All my works address different themes related to love, loneliness, poverty, and feelings, with a strong focus on naturalism, reflected in landscapes, nature, and the seasons. On one hand, “Unfinished Fragments Wanting to be Poetry,” whose title comes from my difficulty in finishing my poems, speaks about my experiences and everyday life. On the other hand, “Melodies of Full Moon Nights” arises from sleepless nights and nursing, interpreted as a way to express the countless emotions that mothers face through poetry, but it also includes many poems about everyday life and the places I used to visit.
Nature and seasons seem to be important in your writing. What draws you to those themes, and how do they show up in your poems?
Yes, I am a lover of nature, sunsets, and trees. Since I was little, I always wanted to draw landscapes, although that was not my field. I am attracted to the power that nature and the seasons have over people’s emotions. In my poems, I always use metaphors related to nature and emotions.
Are there particular poets or poems that have left a lasting impression on you? What have you learned from them?
Well, as a Chilean, I have always been very familiar with two great poets, Nobel laureates in Literature: Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda. Thanks to them and reading in school, I was able to learn more about the world of poetry. Additionally, there is one poem that especially left a mark on my mind: “A una Rosa” by the poet Luis de Góngora. “ A una Rosa” exemplifies how Góngora uses nature to reflect on the human condition, concepts that I also try to incorporate into my poems.
Looking ahead, do you have plans to publish your poetry collections or explore other forms of writing or storytelling?
I intend to continue showcasing my work through publications in magazines, as I have been doing, and I hope to receive support from readers. Being a self-taught poet has led me to doubt the quality of my poems and to think that maybe all of this is just a hobby. However, I have recently discovered that there is a small group of people who find my work fascinating and see themselves reflected in certain poems. Therefore, I just hope to keep writing, that people are interested in reading me, and that they may find in my poems some comfort and freedom. I wish that, like me, others can fly with their imagination and minds to places they cannot visit due to time, routine, or money. I also want to continue working as a reporter, writing articles, and perhaps, novels.
Maria is still writing and sharing her work, be it poetry, articles, or maybe novels… Just the everyday doubts and simple pleasures of a self-taught artist finding a place for herself. Simply put, she wants her poetry to give readers moments to reflect on their lives and find comfort, solace, freedom, or escape beyond their everyday existence. With her heartfelt verse, Maria opens the doors for all of us to stop awhile, dream, and see the beauty hidden in ordinary and extraordinary things.