Poems, Immigrants, and Literacy

My granduncles and aunt - NYC 1925
at the base of the Statue of Liberty
after immigrating from Kassabella in what 
is now Slovakia.


Looking back, I realized that I have been writing poetry for sixty plus years. I have been teaching the art of writing poetry for forty plus years. I can sincerely say that poetry is an intricate part of my life. But what has poetry done for me or those in my life?

First, poetry gave me a voice when everything around me was telling me to be silent. Then, poetry took me to places I would have had difficulty getting to on my own. Finally, poetry became my art, the way I painted a world that was too confusing, too complex, so beautiful that mere words couldn't capture the emotions. 

Today, as we near the end of the 30 Poems in November challenge, I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to teach my students the joy of writing poetry. Always, I am awed by their ability to use a language that is foreign to them to express such deep emotions in such a beautiful way. Poetry allows them to be heard! 

Click the link below to support my continued efforts to bring literacy to our students at Center for New Americans through the  30 Poems in November Challenge,  https://cnam.org/civi/pcp/info/?reset=1&id=701 


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