Talented Poet In The Heart Of Bowen

For as long as Tania Reid has known, she has always had a gift for the written word.

Tania moved to Bowen from Townsville 12 years ago, with her parents and sister.

She has been writing poetry since she was a teenager, perfecting her craft for years now.

Over the years, Tania has touched on every aspect of life, writing poetry on the passing of her parents, the passing of a dear friend, her treasured cat Simba, and the beauties of the world.

“People say my poetry comes from the heart,” she said.

One of her more touching poems, entitled ‘Hope’, speaks to Tania’s treatment of a brain tumour.

In 1998 Tania had been experiencing headaches and mood swings, then one day one side of her body began to turn numb.

“I could feel it creeping up, and that’s when my sister took me to the hospital, and they found it,” she explains.

The tumour was the size of an orange on the top of her brain, and she was immediately scheduled for surgery the following week.

“When I survived it, I was so happy to be alive, that I wrote a poem. It’s the best one I’ve written, everyone says it, and it is full of hope,” she said.

The tumour left Tania’s cognitive ability strained and in need of consistent support through Bowen Flexi Care, however her ability to touch people with her poetry has only strengthened.

Through her poetry, readers can see the growth and maturity of Tania, as she ages and has monumental life experiences.

“I think it’s gotten better too, matured a little over the years.”

You can see Tania’s poem published in next week’s newspaper.

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Having been perfectly crafting her art, Tania Reid touches on intimately human experiences. Photo credit: Bronte Hodge