I was honored to have a poem in Dragon Lode not too long ago.
Janet Wong wrote a great piece about diversity, and she included poems by both Margarita Engle and me. I keep some pretty great company, right?
Here’s my poem–in one of my favorite forms, the acrostic!
I was just an average middle-class white girl growing up, but we had medical/mental health issues in my family that I rarely, if ever, saw reflected in characters in the books I read. So even though my ethnicity was well represented, I know we still have a lot of work to do in many areas of diversity, including cultures, gender orientations, and all kinds of health issues.
11 Responses
Lovely, poignant lines Laura. Thank you for sharing this
Powerful words, plainly spoken!
Most excellent.
Beautifully put.
Thanks, Jen!
This is beautiful, Laura. The fact that many don’t “live in books” is something all of us have to do something about. I’m glad Janet shared your poem to many others!
Thank you, Linda. I felt hesitant to share this, as a white woman and as someone who hasn’t participated loudly in #WNDB before. I appreciate the warm response:>)
You say so much in so few words. I love how the title sets the tone. Excellent use of the form!
Thanks, JoAnn :>)
Even the simplest forms can be used to pack a powerful message.
Well done, Laura! That Lee & Low diversity report was a sight to behold.