Spoken Word Artist Finds Inspiration From Hardship

Pedro “El Poeta” Jarquin always has used his gift of gab to express himself.

Jarquin, a native of Nicaragua, also taps his self-expression to spread awareness and education through spoken word.

The art form has gained momentum in recent years, especially in downtown St. Petersburg. Local establishments like and host open mic nights, where artists like Jarquin can display their abilities.

Although Jarquin has found stability in his life, he said that his upbringing was anything but stable.

Jarquin had to flee from his war torn home in Nicaragua. As an infant, he was underweight and there was a chance he would not survive.

He said that he is “not really supposed to be here.” Considering the odds stacked against Jarquin and his family at the time, he is lucky to have found sanctuary.

“We slept in luggage compartments, under buses or in abandoned houses along the way,” he said.

At six years old, Jarquin had endured the hardships of a lifetime. He had been arrested, deported and was even put in a refugee camp.

Now, at 29, Jarquin finds inspiration in his memories of those difficult times. He said his life experiences happened for a reason, and he tries to use them for a positive message.

By the time Jarquin and his family reached Washington, D.C., he was almost seven years old. He started school, but language was a barrier.

Jarquin knew very little English, learning this new language as a second-grader.

Once he learned a little, Jarquin said that he was hungry for more. He even recalled being scolded for asking “too many questions.” Jarquin didn’t mind though. He was just happy to be in America and even more pleased to be learning.

Music was a vital tool in Jarquin’s education. He started learning English by listening to rap music. Bone Thugs 'n Harmony was his favorite band at the time. It was the first time he had heard anything like it, and Jarquin was floored by the sounds and words that seemed to fit so perfectly together.

It was only a matter of time before Jarquin began to imitate his fascination. He began writing rhymes, which eventually turned into songs. Jarquin said that writing and the arts kept him on the straight and narrow.

“I kind of stayed out of trouble because I was involved with the arts so much,” remembered Jarquin. “It always kept me focused.”

Jarquin become a model student and eventually made it to Florida, where he attended Eckerd College. He met his future wife and graduated with a degree in Creative Writing.

The emergent arts scene in St. Petersburg drew Jarquin close and gave him the desire to stay, even after he finished school. He began performing at open mic nights and recorded his first album. With his wife three months pregnant, Jarquin returned home to Nicaragua, where he became a music sensation.

After a few years at home, Jarquin and his family came back to St. Pete, where they currently reside. Their “seize the day” mindset is one of many qualities they share. Jarquin said that his childhood is the sole cause of his free-spirited nature.

“I had that safety net taken away from me as a little kid,” said Jarquin. “Nothing was safe to me.”

Now a stay at home dad, Jarquin focuses on family and music. He produces and performs every chance he gets. His music covers politics, world issues and an overall peaceful perspective on today’s times.

According to Jarquin, he has been compared to artists like Tupac Shakur and Eminem.

Considering the Jarquin’s liberated outlook on life, the future is wide open. Jarquin said that he hopes to continue to create a career in the music industry. He said that he might have to relocate for that to happen though.

“We want to go somewhere that my music can go places,” explained Jarquin. “We want to move somewhere that caters to my genre.”

Through his music, Jarquin’s goal is to inspire fans to make a difference for the better. “There are ways that we can change things,” said Jarquin. 

For upcoming shows and music samples, visit Pedro “El Poeta” Jarquin’s website. 

Photo credits from slideshow:

Rachel Jolley

Sarah Weatherbee

Aurailieus