Tears of Hope
By LG
Dedicated to Free Minds Volunteers
Poetry bleeding from my instrument
Staining my canvas for years
Generosity pouring from my peers
Transforming my hope into tears
It seems like it was just yesterday
When I realized this wonderful gift
Ever since I opened my present
My life has taken a shift
When your desire for something is strong
The manifestation will come to pass
Uncontrollable emotions
As you say to yourself, “At last”!
Cursed since my incarceration
now blessed and highly favored
Indebted to a Free Mind
This taste will forever be savored
After a finished masterpiece
I step back and stare in awe
All thanks and glory to god
For a talent I never foresaw
Eager to encourage the world
I humbled myself with joy
With passion to strengthen the weak
Into a fortress no one can destroy
It’s hard to express with words
But thank you for giving me hope
My tears describe my emotion
As a brilliant kaleidoscope
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The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.
What a beautiful poem. Keep it up–you are blessed.
Hello LG,
My name is Emma, living in St. Paul, MN. While reading your poem, I came to the understanding that poetry has given you hope and has been a great gift in your life. I also came to understand that you want the world to explore the greatness of poetry because, through your experience, it brings so much peace and joy. Going into more detail about your poem, at the beginning of it, I noticed that you talk about bleeding from your instrument, and at the end, you talk about being so thankful that you cry. These parts of the poem helped me understand your emotional depth as you describe your emotions so eloquently. I also noticed that you employ poetic techniques such as rhyming so well: “Staining my canvas for years / Transforming my hope into tears,” and a simile, “My tears describe my emotion / As brilliant as a kaleidoscope.” This simile was especially powerful to me as I never thought that the tears and a kaleidoscope could be compared, but it makes perfect sense as to why they can correlate. I noticed, too, how the verbs you used brought the poem more to life for me and made me understand your feelings on a more profound level. Overall, the message I got from your poem is that poetry is amazing and can help transform and make lives better–-I know reading poetry has helped me learn about fascinating topics. Because of your poem, I think I will continue to read more poetry and even start writing some poems. You have inspired me with the joy and strength poetry has brought to your life. Now, I have a question for you: What is your favorite poem, and why?
Thank you for your poems–
Emma
Dear LG,
After reading through many poems on the Free Minds website, “Tears of Hope” caught my attention. Unlike most other poems, you sent a message directly to the workers at Free Minds thanking them for what they have done for you. I found it very honorable that you wrote a poem showing gratitude for the “present” these people have given you. The present of poetry. Using the gift they gave you to express your appreciation was very special. Describing your tears and emotions as a “brilliant kaleidoscope” was an interesting comparison. Much like a kaleidoscope changes patterns and colors, our emotions change as well. All of the different feelings we receive from these emotions are spectacular. That is what makes them brilliant. Reading your poem has caused me to reflect on my own life. I have realized that school, my family and my job are things I need to express more gratitude for. Whether it be expressing love, teaching me life skills, or expanding my knowledge, it is only right to appreciate the good these things have brought me. These experiences have changed my life, much like poetry has changed yours.