To Become A Poem
Location
Thales found a river running past
The poetry of Earth beat fast
On whim, the river’s course may change
In brilliant prose, the forest strange
Confucius, in all his wisdom, made
A millennium of respect conveyed
Poems fill his selfless mind
And build our love for all mankind
Siddhartha found a poet hiding
‘Neath Ficus trees, knowledge guiding
For seven weeks he chased a poem
Uncovered by the earth below him
Alexander, though his reign was great
An early grave to seal his fate
A poem hiding in the east
Brings knowledge at the very least
Teresa gave away her heart
Working hard to do her part
She chased away their loneliness
And loved with all her holiness
Mandela saw the black and white
A poem used to win the fight
Locked away for ages more
Love comes forth despite the war
Gandhi’s journey to the sea
In meditation, spirits free
A quest for independent choice
He gave a billion people voice
Malala fought a madman’s gun
Education was the prize she won
The way she spoke was poetry
Opened up our eyes to see
Poems cling to folds of time
Even when they do not rhyme
Emotions taught through careful word
I have learned to see the world
I have studied Thales’ wit
Confucius sense of great spirit
Siddhartha show’s an eight-fold path
Alexander’s Grecian wrath
Poetry exists outside our words
It floats with the wings of birds
It guides us in our everyday
Molding greatness out of clay
The people who are written down
Have poems in them, all around
Their pen may never touch the paper
But actions make their poems greater
Poetry has taught me
To be
To open up, let greatness in
To mold myself and then begin
To sit by rivers’ running banks
To respect my elders and give thanks
To meditate and love the earth
To learn, and love, and know my worth
To challenge limits, but show respect
To notice who my love affects
To be a voice when others can’t
To fight for knowledge until I pant
Poetry has created me
Into who I want to be