As I was digging through my poorly organised files, searching for a particular poem, I came across this one instead. I wrote it a couple of years ago, probably in a moment of particularly melodramatic self-pity and frustration. Rereading it, I felt that it still expresses something I care deeply about, and deals with a concept I believe is incredibly important to share with my students. So I though I might share it here, for anyone else you might find it useful.
Dear Person/Place/Thing,
Although your idea is
Charming and/or Interesting,
We advise you that it is not for us.
You have been rejected.
Now, remember, that this is all subjective,
You have not been found defective,
Your objective is to stay protective,
This is just not your day.
Though your hopes go up in smoke,
they form the ashes
from which your dreams will rise.
Don’t let this charred past stamp out your will.
You’ve got this.
I’m not telling you to dry your tears!
Go on and let them flow.
Let them sting and blister,
Let the howls come rushing like a torrent,
‘til your nostrils bleed and throat goes hoarse.
But then get up.
You’ve got this.
For when you do, you’ll look around and say,
‘I did not surrender’,
On the slender precipice I chose to stand my ground.
You will walk straight back into the flame
Unashamed of your name and game.
You’ll gather up scars like medals.
Still they’ll sting, still you’ll howl and shout in indignation
As doors go on locking and the house goes on burning.
But you will also be proud.
Stay with this.
You’ve got this.
Kathy Weeden - Author 