Your words cannot offend.
I don’t depend on faulty interdiction.
Sometimes encouragement sounds like doubt.
Mona Lisa smile betrays my conviction:
Sure knowing I will transcend.
Poem- Someone tells you April 29, 2019
How do you find
the magical opportunity that transforms you?
How do you find
the courage to release your words
trust your ideas
show your vision.
How do you find
those places, waiting for you?
poem-truth and dare March 15, 2019
Here is the true thing, my children.
It is dark outside.
There are beasts with teeth and claws,
prepared to rip and tear you into tiny bits.
Oh, yes, my children,
it is dark outside.
You must beware.
.
But come, my children,
here is another true thing.
There is light outside.
It glows from windows and from hearts;
it pulls what’s apart, together, wrapping gleaming strands
of hope, that shimmer if you look just so.
See?
There in your heart: a star!
Dare, my children, to shine.
It is dark outside.
You must
Be light.
poem- There is a ghost… October 19, 2017
…in my easy button.
.
Confident red circle
sits
in its isolation
on the desk
proclaims,
“That was easy!”
.
We hear the outbursts
amused from a distance,
that it appreciates
ataraxia.
.
Our brains may ache
with the effort
of learning,
.
but that red button
assures us
It wasn’t difficult
at all.
poem- scream August 11, 2017
My feet are too big
Those great shoes would look like canoes.
I’m too fat
no one would hire me.
My memory sucks
I could never share my words.
I can’t.
I’m not good enough.
I’m not.
SCREAM!
Seize your power!
Seize your words!
Scream them out!
Drown out self-doubt!
You are!
You are!
You ARE!
You are worthy.
You are worth it.
You are the only you.
You are the
only
you.
We
need
you
to embrace the you
we believe in.
We believe.
We believe
in your voice:
SCREAM!
poem-cracked March 20, 2015
I am cracked earth,
parched red clay
shrinking in the sun.
You are water,
not a flood
pouring over, but
a gentle, constant rain,
infiltrating slowly,
waking dormant seeds,
bringing blossoms,
to barren hopes,
remaking me.
poem- small October 11, 2014
You were so very small
pulling your limbs inside yourself
wearing a vacant scowl,
trying to turn yourself inside out
to avoid notice,
when we were all there
for you.
So much trauma to hide from.
so many layers of armour.
Will we ever see you drop the ballast
so you can fly?
.
.
Probably a few too many metaphors here, but the sentiments hold true. May have to work on this one a bit more.
poem- halo May 30, 2014
You glow
with a joy
that makes my heart heal
that makes my soul sing
that make me glimmer
poem- sign May 22, 2014
Out front the high school
Each morning,
A man stands,
Bearing above his head a
One word pronouncement.
Watching parents leaving
Their children,
Teachers driving in,
He tilts his sign to catch
All eyes.
Morning after morning:
PRAYER.
Each day I ponder
His cryptic word.
Is it protest
or encouragement?
Prayer ?
for kids
to be attentive?
to do their homework?
to embrace their learning opportunity?
to have supportive homes?
Prayer for staff
to be patient?
to be available?
to see what needs to be seen?
to do what needs to be done?
It’s not such a terrible reminder,
for anyone,
whatever the motivation.
poem- offering March 12, 2014
You bring your words to me
an offering
held in your open palms
like a supplicant.
I meet your fearful eyes
and tell you of your strengths,
coach through your weaknesses,
and encourage your improvement,
as gently as I can.
You reward me with your laughter,
a sound so rare that I am still celebrating
hours later,
so thankful
to be your teacher,
and have the chance to watch
your talent turn you into the
accomplished person
you will be.
Shawn L. Bird 