Leila A. Jackson, a Harvard student from the class of 2026, uses poetry to tell powerful stories and express deep emotions. Her recent poem, “Exit Wound,” won the 2024 Academy of American Poets Prize. This work focuses on Jesse Owens, the renowned American track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Despite his remarkable achievements, Owens returned to a life of poverty in America shortly after his victories.
In an interview with The Crimson, Jackson explained how she approached Owens’s story to highlight lesser-known aspects of his journey. “I thought if we start in a historical place, maybe that could prove fruitful,” she said. Jackson incorporated italicized sections in “Exit Wound” from various articles celebrating Owens’s talent.
However, Jackson wanted to address a more significant and overlooked aspect of Owens’s life. “The middle text is meant to signify: ‘What is less written down, but must have been more experienced?’” she said. During her research, she discovered that Owens returned to poverty, a fact she felt was crucial to share. “I thought that was a very poignant fact that people should know about,” she added.
To express these feelings, Jackson carefully chose her words in the prose poem format. She faced unique challenges with this style, feeling a heightened responsibility to ensure each word was impactful. “When you’re writing a prose poem, it feels like there’s almost less significance attached to each word for the reader,” she explained.
Throughout the poem, Jackson uses symbolism to connect Owens’s athletic triumphs with his later struggles. For example, she references his nickname, “The Buckeye Bullet,” to illustrate his racing career and the economic hardships he faced, even competing against horses for money. “I wanted to play around with the symbolism of the word ‘bullet,’” Jackson said, relating it to both the starting gun and the wounds Owens experienced.
Jackson’s writing delves deep into Owens’s life, earning her the Academy of American Poets Prize. She credits her professor, Tracy K. Smith, for encouraging her to submit the piece and recalls the excitement of winning. “I got the email while I was driving, and I had to pull over to read it. I was just not expecting it at all,” she said.
Initially, Jackson doubted her submission would gain attention. After rereading her poem and recognizing its value, she realized she had underestimated herself. “I was really, really excited, and I was glad that they had seen something in me,” she said.
At Harvard, Jackson is carving her own path by merging her interests in the humanities and biology. As an English major, she appreciates the freedom poetry offers, while her pre-med studies provide a new lens through which to explore writing. “I feel like a lot of the English classes that I’ve taken have engaged with it [theory about the body],” she noted.
Looking ahead, Jackson plans to continue her creative journey at Harvard, aiming to compile a thesis over the next two years. She aspires to produce a poetry collection as a fitting conclusion to her college experience. “I think doing a poetry collection would really excite me,” she said.
In addition to her artistic goals, Jackson is preparing for medical school and hopes to venture into literary and artistic fields, such as publishing. Her passion for literature began in childhood and grew during high school, ultimately leading her to become a prize-winning poet.
For aspiring writers, especially first-years, Jackson offers valuable advice: “Just show up to whatever. Like they say, ‘try everything out.’” She emphasizes that writing is not a one-size-fits-all process and that finding the right fit takes exploration.
Jackson’s journey reflects her commitment to both poetry and her future career. “Exit Wound” is just one piece in her portfolio, showcasing the power of poetry as both an archival and creative art form.
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