The Poet X pt.2

     As I continued to read on in The Poet X, I found myself sympathizing with the main character, Xiomara. She continually had to go through struggle after struggle and finally felt completely knocked down when her strict, Catholic mother found out that she was in a relationship with a boy at age 16. As if this was not enough, her mother found her poetry book that held all of Xiomara's deepest secrets. It explained how she felt about boys and most importantly and consequently, her mother. I felt myself wanting to try to save Xiomara from the turmoil that was overtaking her life.
      We all have that one thing that keeps us feeling alive. Poetry was Xiomara's thing. It kept her head above water when she felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair and disappointment. She could always rely on poetry as an outlet to release all of her frustrations in her life. She felt like the paper was the only thing that was up for the challenge of facing her deepest, darkest feelings and that paper took a metaphorical beating every day. I believe that writing can be cathartic for some individuals who do not feel like they have anyone to go to when they are feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders. This is something I want to share with my future students. Writing how you feel is a positive way to get out your thoughts and feelings out so that it does not eat you up inside.
     Just as Xiomara thought she was going to get a break, her mother found her most prize possession. As Xiomara walked into her home, her mother was standing there with it in her hand. Her mother reached for a lighter and began to light the book on fire. As the author described the smell of burning leather and Xiomara's overwhelming emotions, I found myself wanting to reach and grab the book out of her mother's hands. That was Xiomara's lifeline. I could not imagine the intensity of this situation and how Xiomara felt. She was distraught.
     After this traumatic event, Xiomara was able to pick herself back up. She attended slam poetry sessions where she had the opportunity to share her own poems. She found out that her poems were in her heart and that she did not need the book. She found out that she could take her poems to the next level by performing them. As teachers, we could be responsible for introducing a passion to a child. A teacher noticed that Xiomara had a real talent and passion for poetry and encouraged her to join poetry club. When we teach, taking notes about what our students enjoy and are good at can really make a difference. We could supply them with a little bit of encouragement and confidence that could change their lives.