Nobody’s ever searched for a way to express their deepest feelings. That’s why poetry is dumb. Who would want to give a voice to the abstract depths of their soul? That’s why poetry is bad. Touching the mind of an audience and inspiring them to find beauty in every minute, mundane detail of the human experience is worth nothing. And so, poetry is silly. Poetry is antithetical to our one true purpose: to exist as golems, stripped of our individuality, and under the command of the nearest enemy of critical thought. That’s why it’s so pointless.
The Earplugs by Adelaide Peters
“Earplugs, sir? Only $3 a pair.” The man approached me, open palms wielding. I glimpsed at them, considering his offer. “They’re perfect to keep your ears safe from information that may be harmful.” “Whatever could you mean?” Suddenly, I come to see everyone around me wearing the earplugs. “Currently, sir, your exposed ears are susceptible to all sorts of word of mouth, things that you would certainly want to avoid.” “Information such as?” I ask, curious as to what everyone seems to be so afraid of. “Well, what if someone were to try to express an opposing opinion to you? You wouldn’t want that, would you?” “No, I suppose not.” I realize it does quite upset me to encounter a disagreement, and I really don't like when people have thoughts that go against my own. “See, when I apply the product,” he goes on to demonstrate how to put the earplugs in “I can no longer hear a thing you’re saying! Now, if you were to say something I don’t necessarily like or agree with, I can’t hear you and it won't bother me!” “Ah, I see. Yes, I’ll have a pair,.” I reply, “Great! We’re having a deal, limited time only, buy a pair of earplugs, get a device to amplify your opinion for free!” He extracts from his bag a megaphone. “A megaphone?” I survey the odd grouping of products. “Of course, sir, so you can be sure your opinion is louder than anyone else’s. Yours is the most important, afterall.” My mind turns over the idea. Shouting my opinions while disregarding everyone else’s? Sounds perfect. I accept his offer and continue on my path. I begin to notice more the people around me, earplugs in, all shouting at each other. I put in my own pair, and their words muffle into nothing more than plain noise. Of course, whatever they're saying doesn't matter anyways. Obviously, their thoughts are wrong. It doesn't matter what they're saying, I'm sure it can't compare to my reasoning. I reach for my megaphone as I draw a deep breath, and I begin to shout. I can barely hear my own voice, and I have almost no idea who or what I'm replying to, or what everyone else is yelling about for that matter, but the context is irrelevant. Everything I say is right, and everyone else is wrong. Essentially, I'm helping these people. They are incorrect, and I’m fixing their opinions and showing them the correct way, my way.
A Poem by Ava Grant
Thank you for doubting me For saying I will fail For encouraging me to give up For walking away when I called out Because it made me loose hope And I cannot possibly thank you enough You did so much for me That I cannot possibly put into words how grateful I am
You told me no one would want to be friends with me And you were right Even when I didn’t believe in myself You believed in me
You told me “how are you possibly going to make it in this world” And you were right again You encouraged me to blossom Into a flower The most independent The most resourceful One of them all
You told me that I am selfish And you were right again You showed me to look at the positive To look at the best parts of myself And that I am eternally grateful Because the world seems so negative
One thing you never tell me Is that you’re proud That is the best part of all You showed me that not telling people Things that hurt them Is the best way to help them grow
Instead you showed me encouraging people Pushing people to be their best selves Is the best way to blossom Into a beautiful Vibrant flower
Another Poem by Ava Grant
School is too lenient They let kids have choices As it is too inconvenient To listen to professionals voices
They couldn’t care less About getting into perfect colleges But let me confess This is something everyone acknowledges
Mental health is centered As they ponder with stealth To make sure all on mentored On how to take care of ones health
We are taught intelligence Cannot be numbered As every form has relevance That can never be cumbered
But what good does that do If no one is at the top Just to be able to subdue The sign that screams stop