Creative Expression Contest Runner-Up 2006
"Different" - Poem
By Sam Schlegel, Age 13
Edgewood Middle School
Highland Park, IL
Teacher: Sara Sher
Jan 06, 2006
What is different? The dictionary tells us it is someone or something that is unlike in form, quality, amount, or nature. To a casual reader this definition is satisfactory. It meets all the criteria of what is safe and acceptable. But, open that shrouded door behind that word and a world of hate, violence and injustice will spill out on your feet.
Different has ruined lives.
Different has murdered children.
We are all different………..Right?
Who is different? Different is you and I and they. Different is your neighbor reading Torah. Different is the two men holding hands as they walk down the street. Different is that birthmark on the tip of your nose.
I am different
All my life
Instead of Power Rangers; it was Barbie.
Instead of Fireman; it was Housewife
Instead of Baseball; it was Cinderella
What does different sound like to me?
wimp
girl
fag
gay
It’s that boy in the hall who turns around and spits those words out at you.
But we are all different.
We are all unique.
Even when it hurts so bad that you wish you weren’t here.
Even when you go home and cry until your pillow is black
Just remember
We all are different.
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No Name-Calling Week 2008 is made possible, in large part, by a generous grant from Cisco Systems.