Words, by Palestinian poet, Mahmoud Darwish.
That's all it took -- a single reading in a fourth grade classroom, to inspire this poem by Tanaili, 10 years old, Columbus Elementary School, Chicago, IL:
THE BATTLE WITH MY WORDS
When I had feelings, my words crushed me.
Then came the war!
When my words were mad, I tried to forget
them.
When my words were scorpions, I ran away
from them.
When my thoughts felt sad, my words became
Hell.
When my words threatened me, I threw them
out my window.
My words hurt me on the inside. Words screaming
in my head. Will the war ever end?
About Me
- Amanda
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Amanda Leigh Lichtenstein writes poetry and creative nonfiction. Originally from Chicago, IL (USA), she currently divides her time between Chicago and Stone Town, Zanzibar as a freelance writer, editor and arts/culture consultant. www.travelfarnow.com
hair shop, near tengeru market, arusha
1 comment:
Just came across your blog from Community Arts Network and I'm so glad. This poem is just what I needed today --to have someone else articulate my very thoughts. And though I know younger people are amazing, it's still incredible that these words come from a younger poet. Thank you for sharing it!!
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