A poem is when you write thoughts from your heart.

It can feel like when you turn on the lights in a dark room.

A poem is like the feeling of a full stomach when you’ve been hungry.

Writing a poem is like a cozy place you build.

A poem is like when the clouds touch the sky.

A poem is like the moon rising at sunset.

A poem is when words compliment you.

A poem is when you have the sky in your mouth.

It is like hot, fresh bread,

When you eat it a little is always left over.

A poem is when you hear the heartbeat of a stone.

When words beat their wings,

It is a song sung in a cage.

A poem is when words are turned upside down

And suddenly the world is new.

A poem is what poets write.

A poem can be anything.

 

This poem was inspired in part by ‘This Is a Poem That Heals Fish’ by Jean-Pierre Simeon

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This poem is published in The Light in My World, a compilation of original poetry written by young people ages 5 – 12 who stayed with their families in housing at Solid Ground’s Broadview Emergency Shelter & Transitional Housing for women and children. The young authors who contributed to The Light in My World are not identified by their real names, and some details have been changed to protect the privacy and confidentiality of them and their families. The authors retain copyrights on their individual works.