My voice was a present given from God to me,
It tells you all the things I need to tell you,
So that you can help me be all that I can be,
I communicate by using a voice to cry, laugh, whisper and shout,
All the wonderful and terrible things I need to get out,
Now all I need is someone I trust to listen to me,
So I can express my ideas, thoughts, and feelings,
And finally be free,
So can you please listen to me with an open mind and an open heart,
So I can say everything I want and need to,
Right from the start,
I need to feel safe you see,
From all the harm and criticism that can be directed at me.
Your voice is wonderful and a gift to those who listen. As what you say expresses wisdom and respect. For those who do not listen, do not worry my friend as they close their ears to the world this way and need to learn themselves to get their heads out of the ground.
ReplyDeleteSurround yourself with those who respect you and even when you confront ignorant people you never need feel alone. For those who support you and care about you will be there to help you as you help them.
Very powerful poem!
Thank you for your compliment
DeleteThis poem was written towards the end of me dealing with my human rights case. A lot of times during the case I had to re-live and re-visit the abuse I got from the hands of my professors. But one thing no professor could touch or hurt was my voice. I wasn't allowed to have a lawyer present throughout the school tribunal that lead into my human rights case. At the tribunal all I was allowed to have was silent supporters. My dad and our human rights advisor came to support me but they were not allowed to talk at all. I was in a room surounded by people in powerful positions some were faculty members who held PhDs. Some were student council members. I had to talk on my own in front of them, tell my story, and answer their questions. I was scared and wanted to run out of the room! But I held my ground, answered the questions they presented and told my story. The school didn't admit there was discrimination going on however they did admit something was wrong. They changed my practicum grade from F to W. Because that happened and because my dad, human rights advisor and I weren't satisfied with the outcome- I persued my case. At no point during the case was I allowed to have a lawyer- instead I became one for myself. The case took a lot out of me but in someways I feel like it gave me a present that none of the teachers wanted me to get. It gave me the confidence to stand up for myself. It gave me the confidence to be my own advocate and to be an ally for others. I don't want what happened to me in school to happen to anyone else-it hurts me to think that it still happening today. I think in a way even though I got really hurt to the point where i showed severe signs of depression- I was also really lucky to have had the support that I did.
ReplyDelete