A Tribute to Family and Poetry, By Missy Long
6:00, Head in Hands
It’s been a long week of I can’t, I won’t,
I’m bad, I need, #%*! you
It’s been…well hard
It’s 6:30, I said I’d go, but I’m so tired and it won’t matter
It’s a small venue, full of eager poets, important conversations
And there in the middle, nurturing, caring and passionate
Surrounded by kids
Summer
Who woulda thought that kids, our kids could
Like this stuff
But they do and tonight
Tracy (name changed) is performing
She waits, Summer encourages
You’re in for a treat the MC says
She’s bringing you her superpowers
She struts to the mike
And there with her in the audience
Amy, Lindsey, Summer, and Jamie
Hearts pounding we waited
Tears ready, choked up
I heard her sing and her family embraced her
She was a poet, a success, with a family who loved her
The week melted away, tears rimmed my eyes
It matters what we do, it matters
Tracy’s power tonight, is a tribute to the family
We all are to so many!
It does matter!
Thank You
Tonight a member of our youth program sang a solo in front of 100 people at the Bridge Street Café. Summer has been taking kids for a month now. They write poetry, they sing. Tonight Amy, Lindsey, Summer and Jamie watched a young woman step to the mike with ease and poise and sing of respect. Tonight I am so proud of this young woman and everyone who makes moments like this happen for all the folks we work with.
Missy Long, MS
Adolescent Day Treatment Program Director
Family Therapist
