Jenn Morea’s passion for poetry began in high school, sparked by a simple request from a friend: “Write me a poem.” That moment, she says, opened a path for self-expression and connection that she continues to explore today. Morea’s debut poetry book, The Hyacinth Letter, was published in February and reflects her journey of finding a voice through words.
Raised in Southeastern Michigan, Morea’s love for writing started early. She won a regional writing contest in sixth grade, which led to a visit to Young Author’s Day at Oakland University. That experience motivated her to continue developing her writing skills. At age 15, she transitioned into poetry after her friend’s suggestion.
Morea explains, “Writing allowed me to express myself in ways that speaking couldn’t. It gave me a refuge to collect my thoughts in private, revise them, and share them when I was ready.”
To refine her craft, Morea moved to Chicago to study poetry at Columbia College. She also became involved with the Guild Complex, a vibrant literary arts organization in the city. “The Guild Complex was my second home,” she recalls. “It was a supportive, multigenerational community where I met incredible poets.”
In The Hyacinth Letter, Morea explores relationships between women and their connection to the natural world. Her poems are inspired in part by the letters exchanged between Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring, and Dorothy Freeman. Carson’s letters to Freeman reflected a deep bond that also inspired Morea’s work. She says, “The tension, yearning, and intimacy in those letters resonated with me, especially as a queer woman.”
Though Morea had written little in the eight years leading up to The Hyacinth Letter, she returned to her manuscript with renewed enthusiasm. After revising the work, she submitted it to Headmistress Press for the 2024 Sappho’s Prize in Poetry. Two months later, it was awarded the prize.
For Morea, having her first poetry collection published after three decades of writing is deeply meaningful. “It means something different now,” she says. “I fully trust the timing of it.”
Morea has also expanded her creativity into music, writing lyrics for the Candy Claws album Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time. She was inspired by the band’s album In the Dream of the Sea Life, which aligns with Rachel Carson’s work. This led to a collaboration where Morea wrote lyrics for their next album, with both music and poetry coming together in a shared creative process.
In addition to her writing, Morea has worked as a teaching artist, collaborating with schools in Chicago, Oak Park, and Evanston since 1996. She has designed educational experiences that integrate poetry with subjects like science, math, and social studies. Morea is also involved in professional development for teachers and has developed a middle school curriculum for the Young Arts Critics Program at the University of Chicago.
Beyond her academic and literary pursuits, Morea enjoys spending time outdoors, kayaking, hiking, and playing the piano. She is also pursuing certification as an Ayurveda Lifestyle and Nutrition Coach.
When asked what she hopes readers take from The Hyacinth Letter, Morea says, “I hope they read Rachel Carson’s letters and learn more about her life and work. Her story is a powerful one, and I want people to connect with it.”
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