Point Of View
James Tibbetts
Personal Statement
I took the opportunity to submit a creative assignment for my class with Professor Sharon Raz, Ph.D. For this assignment, I wrote two poems. First, I wanted to share a glimpse of life from my perspective as privileges come and go. How the systems molded my mind, body, and heart to be what it is today.
—Point Of View—
From shadows deep, where all hope seemed lost,
A soul emerged, no longer tossed,
By nihilistic waves, oh so cruel and bleak,
To find the light, within no longer meek.
My soul was a tooth unbrushed or flossed,
A corpse forgotten in the permafrost,
The darkest of thoughts use to sneak,
Now my mind’s hope is at full peak.
Of Filipino and Irish blood, a blend,
This man, his life, began to mend,
Once frail and weak, now stands so tall,
A weightlifter, proud and strong through all.
English, was once a foe, with twisted tongue,
Became a friend, now so fluently sung,
Catholic school’s strict, rigid they stand,
Forced change, upon my left hand,
The nuns love, a yard stick they flung,
The purest of sinners in charge of the young.
I was not treated like them, my skin tanned,
I made demands, my presence command,
Bullied, beaten, yet fear he sowed,
In those dark halls, his courage showed.
From special ed class to A.P.’s height,
His intellect’s plane was now in flight,
My fuel to fight, the baggage I towed,
Peers treated me like grass, but now I mowed.
From poverty’s grip as a chef, in kitchens tight,
To wealth and ease, a house husband’s delight,
From dangerous streets to peaceful lanes,
Gentle and clear keeps my clothes from stains.
Boston’s nights, which held racism rife,
He faced with strength, carving out a life,
A decade passed, back to school’s embrace,
Knowledge and wisdom was mine to chase.
Standing tall for those in need,
Against the norms, he took the lead,
Soft yet strong, a man redefined,
In romantic tales, his heart entwined.
Friends of all, his circle wide,
Anti-racist, with pride he strides.
A journey from dark to radiant light,
A life transformed, from night to bright,
The story of I, who now has a vision in sight,
With hope as his shield, and love as his might,
I will never give up what I hold onto so tight,
For the world I envision, I will continue to fight.
