My Voice.

To the teachers, writers and poets who gave me a voice.

You gave me words to speak,

A pencil to write,

And a heart to recognize

The beats and rhythms in my mind.

You gave me a fresh breath for life,

And made me a free man.

You took me to places

With pieces and pages—

And I wanted to thank you.

Thank you for the words that changed my course,

And gave me a sense of direction again.

Thank you for teaching me lessons to give to my future children.

You gave me a reason to be,

And you gave me poetry.