creating hope: a poem.

one day at school, we watched an author interview with the amazing amanda gorman. that & book in verse i had recently read sparked this desire in me: to build & create, because truly that is what changes society. in a time of personal struggle, the intense hope that these artists breathed into my heart was incredible. i hope you can feel that, too. xo, kate <3

...

botanical gardens, dc

their words: eloquent, perfect, and beautiful

their voices: passionate and knowing and gentle

poets

inspiring me

breathing hope

leaving me with the notion

that

i want to be a leader

i want to use my intellect

to bring people together

to strip down diversity

i want to use my words

to make you feel seen

my time

to grow

my gifts

to create a space

for you to become

empowered

i want to learn

how to be a powerful

teacher

speaker

leader

guest

listener

learner

watcher

solver

lover

i want to use this life

this body

this mind

this heart

to build something

not a money-making corporation

or a successful career

no

something bigger than that

it might seem

smaller

less worthy

to some

but in my mind

i am indebted

to what i have been given

i know i will

never be perfect here

but i can still be

powerful

in soft, in intelligent, and in beautiful ways

my character

my ability

is my craft

because they are a tool

i can harness

for a future

filled with

hope.