THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS SELECTED IN WINGWORD POETRY PRIZE 2023 LONGLIST.

Shouldn’t we pass it on

like a box of colorful playdough

soft and yielding,

making, unmaking

easy on their little hands

and mind.

Or like a magic slate

quick to draw and erase

thoughts, beliefs and point of views

to question, reject or align.

Instead we hand it over

like a box of permanent markers

stubborn and rigid,

celebrating conformity

silencing dissent !

Forgetting

that its personal,

faith’s landscape

and it’s on them to pick their favorite color

to paint it to their heart’s content.