The following poem was inspired by my work as a volunteer at a local animal shelter and Lola, the three-legged pitbull who was euthanized because the shelter felt she was “unadoptable”:

 

Our thoughts are like dogs in an animal shelter

Dreams and aspirations locked behind bars

Awaiting someone to adopt our potential.

Where the ‘adoptable’ ones are released

But the ‘non-adoptables’ end up deceased.

Creativity shattered and rerouted to proceed

On the course they defined as standard

In which conventional ideas are pampered

And unorthodox ideas slandered.

 

How come Lola died alone?

The three legged pitbull never found a home.

Yes

She may have been physically impaired

But who cared?

Not Katelind Riner

The 5-year amputee who adopted Bridget

A 3-legged boxer puppy.

What we fail to realize:

Beauty

And creativity likewise

Rests in the eye of the beholder.

1919

Walt Disney is fired from his cartooning job for a “lack of creativity.”

1923

Disney opens his own production company.

1955

Disneyland, where dreams come true, is alive

A testament to the fact that we should allow creativity to thrive.

 

But what is creativity?

Honestly

I can’t construe.

Because to define creativity would be to strip it away of its value.

I can only tell you my personal truth.

 

Creativity is freedom.

Creativity is ingenuity.

Creativity is subjective.

Creativity is the beauty within this poem.

Creativity is your interpretation of these lines.

Creativity is patient,

Awaiting the right adopters.