For regular readers of the Hands on Stanzas blogs, you may have figured out that the poems published are those written and completed during each session, which are usually confined to one class period! Completing an entire poem in under an hour is challenging for poets of any level, even those of us that are career writers!
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So, I wanted to celebrate a student, from Ms. Dydo’s 7th grade class! He often works really hard during program to think creatively, but like me, usually needs to steep on ideas a little longer than the average writer to create a full draft! He came into program recently with poems he’d been writing between sessions and I’d like to highlight one of them because it’s a testament to how powerful poetry can be as a means of processing the things that are challenging in life! Enjoy!
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Cherif H
An Egg
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I’m tired of getting cut off
Getting tired of being awake
Tired of not being able to crack
like an egg
in its uncomfortable
carton
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that is supposed to comfort me
as I’m trying to get out to jump
and be straightforward
with everyone else.
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Instead my protected shell
will not let me open up to
expose who I really am
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When I get the chance
my outer shell
won’t let me breathe
to get a word out. I just need
someone to listen and open up
as I do.
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I’m my bathroom mirror.
Soon, soon, please soon. Not long
until the mirror breaks.
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As well as my heart.
