I wanted to do something good and make the world a better place. When I found out that Tupelo Press gives me a public drawing board for my poetry as a cool fundraiser, I knew I had to participate.
The project consists of me and nine other poets writing 30 poems for 30 days in May. All of us also have a fundraiser to support Tupelo Press. Their campaign to raise funds for new books of poetry will bring voices which otherwise would never be read into the world — and you can be a part of it.
Check out my fundraising page and please consider making a donation to help me reach my goal of $350. Every little helps.
Giving online is easy and fast, and your support will make a real difference. I appreciate you reading my poems and donating in my honor! Below, you can read more about why this is important.
The Importance of Supporting Unheard Voices in Poetry
Poetry serves as a powerful medium for expressing diverse perspectives, experiences, and emotions. However, many unique and often marginalized voices within the poetry community remain unheard and underrepresented. It is crucial to support these unheard voices for several reasons:
- Diversity and Inclusivity: Embracing and promoting diverse voices in poetry enriches the literary landscape, fostering a more inclusive and representative reflection of human experiences. By supporting and amplifying the voices of individuals from varying backgrounds, cultures, and identities, we contribute to a more vibrant and empathetic poetic world.
- Challenging the Status Quo: Unheard voices often bring alternative narratives and unconventional storytelling forward, challenging the existing literary norms and structures. By providing a platform for these voices, we open the door to new forms of expression and thought-provoking content that can expand the boundaries of what poetry is.
- Empowerment and Validation: Supporting unheard voices in poetry sends a powerful message of validation and worth. It empowers individuals who had their stories and perspectives overlooked, offering them a sense of recognition and value within the literary community.
- Social Awareness and Understanding: Poetry has the capacity to shed light on social issues, personal struggles, and marginalized experiences. By uplifting unheard voices, we gain insight into realities that may differ from our own, fostering empathy, understanding, and social awareness.
In essence, supporting unheard voices in poetry helps create a more inclusive, diverse, and empathetic literary world. It allows us to challenge current norms, highlight marginalized experiences, and enhance the overall range of human expression. This support contributes to a more complete and representative portrayal of the human experience.
Poems I Wrote for the 30/30 Project
I wanted to share with you two poems that I wrote for the 30/30 project:
Unclose Me
Unclose me, through dust and forlorn stars.
Let my being light up and beam in the dark.
Unclose me, burst open the doors.
Let me come out of the shadows and live once more.
Unclose me, evaporate my fears.
That has caged me so long with uncried tears.
Unclose me, I am not afraid to live.
Follow me outside, across the divide.
Unclose me, let my being shine through.
Watch the waterfall trust forward with all its force.
Fire and Glas
I loved you like fire, when you were made of glass.
Your being was fragile, like sand running through an hourglass.
I should have listened to the whispers of the wind through the grass.
But I carried on, pouring your cup.
Until the water spilled over and you couldn’t drink up.
Want to Read More Poems?
You can read my other poems, as well as the other poets amazing work here.
Related post: Raise Your Voice
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