Poetry is powerful. It can reach every person and express something in a way that prose never can. One of my favorite contemporary poets is Shane Koyczan. He touches on a lot of issues facing students today, things like bullying, internet trolls, the powerlessness felt by young people, relationships, and the afterlife.
With the start of school, he released a poem that profoundly touches on the difficulties many students struggle with at school. It brings a beautiful message of hope.
I hope that all students find the library to be a safe space.
I want them to know that I am an ally.
I deeply believe that books, words, stories, poems, these things can change lives.
Save lives.
By Shane Koyczan
Each day will be a test
answer the true or false questions
with essays
there will be no easy explanations
you will believe
no one can understand
how much of everything it takes
to keep coming back to this place
to hear lockers slamming shut
like a bouquet of accidents
laid upon the headstone
they keep carving for you
you will believe
that no one could ever fathom
how much your anxiety weighs
or
how each breath
is crushed out of you
or
how violent an act it is
to simply be who you are
you will believe you are alone
believe me
when I tell you
there are others
who will understand
what it costs
to raise your hand
when they take attendance
others who will know
that your voice
had to erupt from your throat
like a squall
just to confirm
that you
are
"Here."
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