Not Perfec but i try

An Avon Middle School South student named Sarah turned in a poem during her first period English Language Arts class that nearly made her Multilingual Educator, Robin McKinney cry.

Why? 

The poem is beautiful on its own, but when you better understand the author, you realize how deep, meaningful, and inspiring it truly is. See, Sarah is in the early stages of learning to speak English. Hatian Creole is her heart language. Her ability to artistically express her feelings in a brand new language is a sure sign that she's well on the way to becoming fluent in English.

Beyond that, however, her poem captures the feelings and emotions that many — if not most — of Avon Community School Corporation's 1,700 multilingual learners have experienced as they've moved to a new community and attempted to keep up with their rigorous school work while learning a new language. "It speaks volumes about how our [ML] kiddos feel," says Mrs. McKinney.

Here's Sarah's unedited poem in its entirety:

Not Perfec but i try

I no speak good
but i try
words come slow
like bird not fly.

I hear them talk
I no know all
Big big words
Make me feel small

I say hello
they smile nice
I think and stop
Say word twice

I want to learn
I want to speak
Sometimes strong
Sometimes weak

One day soon
I speak okay
Not perfect talk
But I will say ...

Beautiful.

As you read, and as the words sink in, you can feel her desire to belong, to be able to understand and be understood. You can imagine how being surrounded by big, big words can make you feel quite small. The ellipsis (...) at the end of the poem speaks volumes, though. Those three dots point to an unwritten future when this poet won't feel so small, when she'll understand what's going on around her and be able to add to the beauty and excitement through her own words.

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing this poem — for sharing your heart. We look forward to celebrating with you as you continue to belong, learn, and grow here in Avon Schools!