Name: "Marigolds," a poem about wonder
Uploaded: 2025-07-09T14:54:33Z
Duration: 7 min 47 s
Description: Poet Safiya Sinclair performs "Marigolds: A Letter to Wonder," an original poem she created for TED that explores memory, beauty and the fragility of life. After the poem, she talks with TED's Helen Walters about her writing process — and what it feels like when the creative muse strikes.

Safiya Sinclair: "Marigolds," a poem about wonder

"Marigolds," a poem about wonder

Poet Safiya Sinclair performs "Marigolds: A Letter to Wonder," an original poem she created for TED that explores memory, beauty and the fragility of life. After the poem, she talks with TED's Helen Walters about her writing process — and what it feels like when the creative muse strikes.

Wonder springs from the simple act of getting one’s hands in the soil, just as a child once planted marigolds alongside her mother. The poem captures the sacredness of family, the beauty hidden in everyday rituals, and the longing for connection across generations. Inspiration, she reveals, cannot be forced; it arrives in unpredictable waves, often rooted in memory and nature. Writing grows from both mysterious flashes and steady, humble work.