Today, in a quiet English classroom
In Southeast Ohio,
An English teacher
And special needs teacher
Discussed how to incorporate
The work of students in the special needs classroom
In this year’s school-wide literary anthology
Of poems, stories, and art.
This year’s theme
is hope.
Some of these high school students will
Be able to circle images of pictures
That give them hope.
Some of these students
Have the ability to write a few sentences
And draw a picture about
what gives them hope.
Most of these students
Rarely get included
in school-wide projects,
Often remain hidden
And anonymous
Like Boo Radley.
But we
are working
To change that.
While pompous politicians
Flaunt their abilities to dismantle
Programs for DEI,
We move forward,
Inviting the voices
Of our fellow humans
Who can name hope
By circling an image of a bird,
Or drawing their dog,
Or writing about a yummy piece of apple pie.
Mmm, mmm. So good.
