All Nonfiction
- Bullying
- Books
- Academic
- Author Interviews
- Celebrity interviews
- College Articles
- College Essays
- Educator of the Year
- Heroes
- Interviews
- Memoir
- Personal Experience
- Sports
- Travel & Culture
All Opinions
- Bullying
- Current Events / Politics
- Discrimination
- Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
- Entertainment / Celebrities
- Environment
- Love / Relationships
- Movies / Music / TV
- Pop Culture / Trends
- School / College
- Social Issues / Civics
- Spirituality / Religion
- Sports / Hobbies
All Hot Topics
- Bullying
- Community Service
- Environment
- Health
- Letters to the Editor
- Pride & Prejudice
- What Matters
- Back
Summer Guide
- Program Links
- Program Reviews
- Back
College Guide
- College Links
- College Reviews
- College Essays
- College Articles
- Back
These Words Matter
When I tell people that I want to be a poet,
They smirk,
Or nod,
Or wish me luck,
As though I’ll need it,
As though it is not a legitimate career choice.
I know then – they do not understand.
I am a scientist.
I measure words as they measure sulfuric acid –
Very.
Carefully.
I am a doctor.
Healing psyches with the imagery I prescribe,
As it is just another medicine,
Plus it is inexhaustible and free.
I am a teacher.
I don’t preach rounding to three decimal places,
Or spiel on the importance of extended metaphors.
I contemplate life, and the implications of choosing to live it.
I am a lawyer.
I question the righteousness of human consciousness,
Struggle against truth and ease.
I try to find these truths so that they can win out.
I am an astronomer.
I search for a meaning in the stars,
Scour them for some grander evidence of a god,
Some greater matter amongst the stardust.
I’m unconcerned with the pictures they’re supposed to display.
I am a magician.
With a wave of my pen,
I conjure depravity, agony, ecstasy.
I believe in the power of these words,
Despite the knowledge that they are
Just an illusion.
When I tell people that I want to be a poet,
They shift their weight from foot to foot,
Or purse their lips,
Or roll their eyes.
As I see my next goal coming over the horizon.
I will move them, somehow, prove to them,
These words matter.
Similar Articles
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
This article has 6 comments.
79 articles 0 photos 210 comments
Favorite Quote:
Don't be a victim; be a titan.
You have genuine talent. This is beautiful. And I can tell you already are a poet. :)
Thank you for your lovely words.