Your Own Special Spark

so I watched dead poet society. and just. so many tears

In school we are taught
that inside us we all have
a special spark,
a glow,
a small light.
but, then we are taught
that we must control
our originality. we are
told a spark is okay, as
long as it does not start
a fire. colour is okay as
long as it does not stray
away from the grey hues
you've been forced into.
you have a flower inside
you but if you're a girl
and yours isnt pink or a
boy who's isn't blue then
you are taught there is
something wrong.
this poem is confined
even, because as this
ink that flows from my
pen may stain paper, I
cannot write off the
page, for ink will not stain
the air, and lay in wait to
be read. even the most
beautiful art is still
confined to its frame, as
the canvas will not take
shape of the art to erase
blank spots left behind.
nor will the art ever leave,
explode from it's wooden cage.

Reviews

[Sharon L.H. Kelly]

Excellent message conveyed in poetic form...well done!

[AmandaN]

This is brilliant. I enjoyed every line! Thanks

[Keith]

Such wise words and a thought provoking poem.

[Cassie]

Wow!!!! thank you for the message you have conveyed here. I loved it

[kublakhan27]

This is an amazing piece...you really worked the metaphors to perfection here and exploited them for all the emotion that was hiding within...poignant and powerful like the movie...well done :)

[Rita L. Sev]

This reminds me of the Harry Chapin song "Flowers are Red" - there are so many ways to be, and each person must be allowed to be as they are... This is also a great reminder for me as we are about to begin the school year. Well done!

[icelandicblue]

I just had a conversation about this with my class just today. It's ok to be unique and have your own spark. I mentioned two books Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli and The Witches' Broom by Chris Van Alsburg. Both books are great examples of being different and how the average people react to it. Of course I am reading my favorite children's book The Tale of Despereaux where a mouse, who does not behave like a mouse, suffers the consequences but also the rewards of being different. I love your poem because it speaks to so many who are forced to dampen their sparks as not to suffer the vagaries of being different.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

Expressively well thought out... the lines in the verse... I liked the whole narrative...there's much in there you can take with you and gives food for writers to go beyond just what is...you must expand beyond the limits of your craft...not left isolated...

[Frieda P]

Outstanding read, a lot of truth in your words here, 'to thine own self be true', best advice I ever got in my life.....bust that wooden cage wide open and let that birdie fly..................

[Larry Dyson]

ideas and the expressions of them are honest unique..Keep writing..Laury