Recently, I discovered a program called Writers in the Schools, by way of my parents. They had returned from a cousin-reunion waving a book. The title was:

Take My Hand, I Want to Show You Something.

The book, a remarkable anthology of poems written by high school students, was compiled by Writers in the Schools (WITS).  

WITS tagline: Engaging children in the pleasure and power of reading and writing.

I also found out my distant cousin’s poem had been chosen for the book’s title. “Go Annie!” Annie, all 14 years of her, helped confirm my suspicion that the wisdom of the ages resides in our youth.

When I read Annie’s poem, “Awaken to the Real World “, I was moved, and awakened too.

We’re designed to dig in the garden, dance barefoot on the earth, sing to trees, hold hands, pens, paintbrushes…PLAY. I doubt we were designed to hole up behind a flat screen all day (like I’m doing…Ha).

Please take a moment to read Annie’s poem. It’s like stopping to smell the roses..so sweet.

Awaken to the Real World

By Annie, Age 14

Writers in the Schools

Take my hand I want to show you something

Crawl out from underneath all of the wires plugged in around you

Breathe in the fresh air of the forests and smile at the rain

We are trapped in a false reality, always in a hurry, always late

Crawl out from underneath all of the wires plugged in around you

Open your eyes, see this? …This is the real world

We are trapped in a false reality, always in a hurry, always late

Pick up the clock and throw it to the ground

Open your eyes, see this? …This is the real world

Walk with me into a world like you have never imagined

This is the dreamland that can be your reality

Pick up the clock and throw it to the ground

Awaken to the lies being told around you, happiness is not a new cell phone

Walk with me into a world like you have never imagined

This is the dreamland that can be your reality

Every waking moment is full of hidden splendors, it is up to you to take notice

Awaken to the lies being told around you, happiness is not a new cell phone

Happiness is the small moments of silence, the ripple in the stream, the slant of sunlight through the branches

Every waking moment is full of hidden splendors, it is up to you to take notice

Only with fresh eyes can every moment be a marvel

Happiness is the small moments of silence, the ripple in the stream, the slant of sunlight through the branches

Awaken to the real world

Take my hand I want to show you something