A Work in Progress | Teen Ink

A Work in Progress MAG

November 9, 2008
By QS724 SILVER, Carpentersville, Illinois
QS724 SILVER, Carpentersville, Illinois
9 articles 0 photos 3 comments

I get nervous … speaking to a crowd.
Not in a crowd, but to one.
In a crowd my voice is commanding and enthusiastic,
But to one, I am weak,
My hands shake, my voice quivers.
Like I am afraid.
Maybe I am afraid, afraid that what I say and do don’t matter.
That my very existence on this earth is meek and unnecessary,
That I just take up space. I am afraid to be small.
That simple fact causes me to be loud and exuberant,
But is not overshadowed by the fact that I am still a work in progress,
And like those before me,
Will probably always be a work in progress until I have taken my last comforting
Breath,
Going to a place where I can speak with confidence,
Without the shakes and pain of this bleak life of worry and profit.
To a place where I will no longer be a work in progress.



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This article has 28 comments.


QS724 SILVER said...
on Sep. 24 2009 at 3:34 pm
QS724 SILVER, Carpentersville, Illinois
9 articles 0 photos 3 comments
of course you can

gabee_p SILVER said...
on Sep. 23 2009 at 6:59 pm
gabee_p SILVER, MOUNTAIN HOME, Arkansas
6 articles 1 photo 6 comments
i would absolutly love to use this as my graduation speech.....if i could have your permission of course

Mrs. G said...
on Aug. 22 2009 at 7:09 pm
I was looking for a poem to share with my eighth grade students on the first day or two of school. I am going to ask students to identify with a line or two of your poem and tell me why they have made that connection. It will help me know them better. Thanks for your contribution!

tweedle dee said...
on Feb. 24 2009 at 12:52 am
didnt sound much like poetry to me, sorry. but what you were saying, that was great and sounded like me!

on Feb. 18 2009 at 12:51 am
jesusfreak21 BRONZE, Tulsa, Oklahoma
3 articles 0 photos 6 comments
when i read this poem, i felt like it was written for me! every single sentence made me think of myself. it was awesome.

Danaee said...
on Feb. 5 2009 at 11:33 pm
I agree with this poem 100%.

I'm just like that.

on Feb. 2 2009 at 5:10 am
Very nice.

Aylin said...
on Feb. 1 2009 at 4:33 pm
Awesome poem. It really speaks the truth. :)