Irises
A counselor for week 2 of Urban Arts camp wrote an amazing poem that captures our kids in Detroit. I wanted to share it with you.
On my way home
I think about the kids
I think about them
Walking home
Except,
they don't get to go home like I do
White eyes
on warm skin
and irises blooming
right at me
they bloom with sun
they bloom in the rain
they bloom with fun
they bloom with pain
Shatonia's barely eleven
but her face is so old
and her words are so bold
and her voice, it hails from heaven
and Ashley and Angel,
Twins on a Schwinn
a 10 speed with 1 gear: broken.
Broken home, broken heart
Broken smile setting them apart
Nathan's lost touch with reality
But he tugs at something inside of me
An imagination with a golden key
Unlocking my mind, setting me free
Jay is pre-K
and is speech is okay
depending on the day
But he always has something to say
Or sing
And that's the thing
They keep Him in their hearts
and his words on their lips
and that hope
keeps their head
toward the son
The son that makes their eyes bloom
When Shatonia sings
When Ashley dances
When Nathan advances
When Jay finds chances
They bloom.
Some irises bloom, some irises wither
But one thing's for certain
The sun makes them stronger
and helps them live longer
The son makes them bloom
These irises bloom
and it warms my heart
My warm and blooming heart
Posted on Tue, June 23, 2009
by Lauren Knox
filed under