Upon my junior year, then was my life
first moved by words which taught there's more to hear
within than I had ever known. So clear
had they become that I could feel the strife
of authors who had penn'd on troubles rife
throughout the world. I wanted others' ears
to know this truth and so-- despite my fear
of weakness or of shame-- began to cry
my sonnet on the stage (whose title lies
"I think I should have loved you presently").
I won the judges' hearts when they realized
how beautiful that timeless truth could be.
From Poetry Out Loud to writing rhymes,
I free my mind through pen and honesty.