the practical teachings of poetry by samantha

the practical teachings of poetry by samantha - June 2019 Scholarship Essay

stay. S-T-A-Y. stay. i can easily spell the word, just as anybody else can but i could never define what it looks like. Websters definition: remain in the same place. All i have seen in my decade and seven years is the leaving. leave. L-E-A-V-E. Now, i know that word very well.
from a young age, i developed the sense that i am the only one i can count on when it comes to anything. such as keeping secrets that i hold dear to my hear; truths muddled by biases; hit with criticism on any i make. i kept thoughts and feelings within this caged heart. i learned from the age of twelve that my truth is the only truth that can be trusted. with every decision i made, i was unsure. and if i did make a decision then i would keep it to myself. As a twelve year old, i had no idea on how to deal with these emotions residing within me. waiting, and growing stronger every day. feelings could come, but they could not leave.
one day, i came across the most beautiful book i had ever seen. the binding was of the afternoon sun while the letters that ran across its cover was the twinkling gold of fireflies. i opened to the first page where dried, pressed flowers fell into my lap. i was overcomed with such awe and wanderlust. my curiosity carried me over several pages, filled with words that rhymed and line of beautiful words that i had never heard before. finally, in the words lined amongst these pages, i felt free. i read these poems learned about love. how it came fill you whole and empty you just as fast. these words taught me the value of self worth and how to do it. it transformed my admiration of nature into a longing when the words told me that nature will set any soul free. ancient anger that always flowed through my veins did not seem like a burden anymore. poetry turned my anger in beauty and strength, and from that moment on i would never be the same. most would pick a sole human being as someone who has been their most prominent teacher, however, i am the accumulation of other peoples words, wisdom, and thoughts. for they have all taught me something that has made me the women i am today.