The Power of Poetry

Everyone has a different creative outlet that enables them to express themselves. Eventually, this creative outlet becomes a hobby and it can inspire and influence others. Poetry writing is my hobby and it has become a means of advocating for what I believe in. Our world is a place of dwindling resources and we youth are the future. The quote “be the change you want to see” has motivated me in many decisions I have made in the past. What if I told you that poetry could change the world? Although writing has been a form of self-expression for the last thousands of years, the poem “To This Day” by Shane Koyczan has changed the way I view poetry. It has an element of hope that can often be related to.  

Everyone goes through something in their life that shapes them to be who they are or enables them to find their greatest educational passion. For me, it was a bit of both. Failures are one of the ways that we can grow and flourish from our mistakes. Our past is something that is a part of who we are, deeply rooted in our core memories like a bad tattoo. My hardship is similar to what many youth experience: bullying. 

Bullying can’t be defined by just one sentence but rather, it is based on a person’s experience. From being called names to cyber bullying, it seems like bullying is a poisonous snake that continues to bite the majority of school children. Despite the fact that life is not a fairy tale, there is always a rainbow at the end of hardship. “To This Day” highlights moving forward, no matter how difficult it might be. The poem is exceptionally well written with multiple uses of metaphors, similes and other figurative language to create an illustrative picture in the reader’s mind. Yet what drew me to the poem the first time I heard it was the power held in each stanza. It had the power to re-imagine how people could define themselves. The verse that reminded me in times of doubt that I could achieve what I put my mind to:

And if you can’t see anything beautiful about yourself
Look a little closer
Stare a little longer
Because there’s something inside you
That made you keep trying
Despite everyone who told you to quit
You built a cast around your broken heart
And signed it yourself
You signed it
They were wrong

Self-doubt is a natural human feeling, especially when a person is pressured by their peers. Yet, the way Shane puts the ideas of focusing on you and how you are special, resonates with the reader. Self-constructive criticism is vital but when it turns into self-doubt that tears apart a person’s self-esteem, it can become destructive rather than constructive. “To This Day” is a poem known to be for the bullied and the beautiful. The main interpretation from the poem is that everyone is beautiful in their own way and sometimes, it takes a bit longer to see how special we are. Failures don’t define you and neither should the bullying experiences. Instead, you will grow from that experience until you flourish like a beautiful butterfly, breaking out of its cocoon.

 So here I am today, using my poetry to advocate for what I most believe in. Mental health awareness, environmental issues, climate change, and social justice are just a few of the topics that I cover through my poetry. No, bullying is not something that can be remedied with contents from a first aid kit, but it strengthens a person’s character. Eventually, a victim of bullying will realize all they had to do was look into the mirror, stare a bit longer, and discover they have been extraordinary this whole time. Poetry taught me joy and that I’m the best version of me, and that led me to spreading good and happiness in the world. What has poetry taught you?