Teen inspiration

Ever since I was in college, I've loved teaching teens. They're open. Honest. And they typically just say it like it is.

Back in April, I had the privilege of visiting South Effingham High School and speaking to the Stomping Stangs book club.

I met some amazing teens that day. It's been my continued blessing to keep in touch with many of them.

A few sent me chapters to books they're writing. They're good! And creative.

Some stay in touch via email and Twitter.

One of the young ladies I connected with sent me some poems she'd written and we talked about.

I know not everyone digs poetry, but I do. Especially gut-level honest poems.

And while Christina said I inspired her, I'm here to tell you all that she's an inspiration to me. She's been through a lot in her years, and yet she was at the book club meeting with a smile. And she stayed after to help clean up and make sure my entire family felt welcomed.

We did. And we left there thankful to have met her.

So with her permission, I'm letting you all have a sneak peek into this young lady's world. And as someone who has listened to teens share similar stories and emotions, I'd strongly suggest we adults listen up.

There's much to be learned from the insights Christina shares in her poetry.




poem 1:





sorry





sorry im not perfect


sorry im not smart


sorry im not nice


sorry i do the things i do


sorry i am who i am


sorry i dont speak my mind


sorry i do the right things


sorry i dont listen to what you say


well youre right im not sorry


sorry im not perfect


sorry im not smart


sorry im not nice


sorry i do the things i do


sorry i am who i am


sorry i dont speak my mind


sorry i do the right things


sorry i dont listen to what you say





poem 2:





undefined





I want to hate you


but i dont hate you


i love you


but its hard to love you


you cheated


you lied


five years was a long time


but now its gone


i miss you


but i dont need you


i have no regrets being with you


but i do regret giving my heart up to you


i cried every night


but now im done with all the tears


i dont need this


i deserve better


we had a future together


i was supposed to be your wife


i was supposed to have your kids


guess now we are over


you have found another


so now i have to move on





poem 3:





my life





I try to put the past in the past

forget about all the hard times

i try to change

but its hard

parents siblings cousins

aunt uncles are just more pressure on me

do this do that

i feel like im doing everything wrong

always messing up

i know im not perfect but i try to be

im going to make mistakes in life

i know im going to have to live with them every day

everyone is different

you make sacrifices

drugs alcohol killing yourself

wont solve anything

getting help will

all you got to do

is keep your head held up high

today is the day my life takes a turn


~Christina, 11th grade South Effingham High School