Let it have meaning
When the thunder comes
Earth beating to the echoing drum of its beat
it will have meaning
the skies will alight
the rain will breathe life into the earth
and it will have meaning

When the fires light
Forests ravaged by the enraged flames
it will have meaning
the death will clear way for new growth
the ash will nourish the ground
and it will have meaning

When the darkness rears its head
Mind flooding with thoughts of escape
i can find no meaning
tears staining satin pillowcase
dread escaping, breathed in by those around me
there is no meaning

let sufferings occur
allow my soul and spirit to perish
my body crucified,
all i ask
let it have meaning

—Bansi Balar, age, 17, Texas. She adds: “While studying the poem ‘Dulce et Decorum Est,’ my history teacher said something that has stuck with me ever since. With what was likely little recognition of the profound impact his next few words would have, he noted that while prose may be the language of conveying meaning, poetry is the language of emotion. Typical speech is vital as the means through which humans communicate matters of rational significance; however, poetry is arguably even more vital as the means through which humans communicate grief, joy, rage, and all of the other things that cannot be truly understood through prose. My writing journey began with a creative writing class I took in my sophomore year, and was recently enriched by the Yale Young Writers Program I attended this summer. All in all, poetry is an outlet for me, and I have dedicated myself to it by writing in nearly any free time I get.”