October Column

First published in The Evening Sun on October 24, 2010:


We all make lists. Whether it is our to-do list for the week or our grocery list, these mental jottings serve an important purpose in our lives. When we make a list, we no longer have the burden of remembering these items. The piece of paper holds them for us.

Writing poetry can mirror this process. Sometimes we have so many items in our hearts that they begin to weigh us down emotionally, mentally, and even physically. However, if we are able to write these things down, in the same way a grocery list relieves us of mental burden, a poem can hold the other burdens we store inside.

On October 12, this is how I introduced poetry to two groups of seventh graders at the Young Women’s Leadership Conference at Gettysburg College. Knowing that middle school can be a difficult time, I emphasized writing’s role as an outlet. In fact, I first turned to writing poetry in ninth grade in order to release stress.

Thanks to technology, I was able to Skype into the classroom and lead the groups of young women in creating a poem. When the fifteen seventh graders walked into the room, I was already there, my face on a computer screen. I watched them file into the room. Some waved. Others stared. These young women had spent all morning attending leadership talks.

As they introduced themselves, each young woman described herself in a single word, and the room began to fill with personalities. I deemed them all poets on the spot for being capable of summarizing themselves into a single word. Little did I know how much their words in our session would continue to impress me.

It was my hope that each young woman would be able to experience the process of writing as an outlet in our session. So, along with the other facilitators, Andria Hoffman and Lisa Breslin, I asked the ladies to write a line in response to the following prompt: Has anyone ever said something to you that was so kind or so mean that you will never forget it?

The young women took ten minutes to create a line to share with the group, which then became a part of a collaborative poem. The two poems they created, one in each session, were incredible. I want to thank all the young women for sharing experiences so close to their hearts and commend them for their courage and raw talent as poets. I would also like to thank Andria Hoffman for her role in creating and organizing the poetry sessions at the conference. It was her vision that made these poems possible.

I’ve included one of the poems below. As you read the words of these young women, I hope that you will be inspired, not only by the genius of their metaphors, but also by the power poetry has to speak on behalf of our silent desires.

In the midst of all the tragic bullying in the news lately, it is refreshing to read strong, young voices turning negativity into something brighter. In this way, the young women allow themselves to shine in the light they have created through language. If you feel inspired, please post your own words of light on my blog.

Shine


Sometimes words ring in my ears like church bells,
grow as heavy as a ton of bricks
until I decide to release them.
Lost in the horrific darkness, the inescapable:
four dark words surrounding me until I break free.
Have you ever heard how peaceful silence is
until one terrible word breaks it?
“You will never be good enough,”
the short snicker a stake through my heart.
Yet, nothing is impossible -- I can do anything and shine.
My thoughts flicker on and off like stars in a midnight sky
dance in my heart like ballerinas during their first recital.
No one can take that from me.
“We will always be proud of you no matter what anyone says.”
I feel special and calm -- like I have gone on a walk,
the way I feel with my friends.
My heart is sprinkled with joy;
my day flows like a leaf falling to the ground.