sjsprWriting

For those who have stardust inside them by Claudia Roldan

They tried telling you who you are (Yaelle Shaked),

What group you belonged to (Puerto Rican Jew),

What type of person you were (studious, hardworking),

What you could and couldn't do with your life.

It was hard sometimes.

To deal with their ignorance and arrogance,

To accept their flaws and circumstances,

To put yourself in their shoes.

But somehow you did.

You were kind even when you didn't have to be,

Even when you didn't felt like it.

“Always be kinder than you feel.”

Perhaps if our governments were more like you,

There would be less hate in the world.

They didn't understand you, didn't know you

But you didn't have to be understood by them

You didn't need their validation or approval.

You turned your back on their ignorant comments.

You focused on the better things.

You became a star when they were trying to make you coal.