MY VERSE w/Allié McGuire

MY VERSE
'No Need To Rehearse'
Original Poem
Written & Narrated by Allié McGuire

​I wrote this poem in response to John Keating’s words so powerfully shared in my favorite movie of all time, Dead Poet’s Society. For me, this piece reflects my personal intersection of artistry and advocacy.

I don’t write just to sound sweet.
I write with a heart that dares to beat.
Not for praise, not to rehearse--
But to claim my place. To craft my verse.

Not all lines are wrapped in bows.
Some bleed truth the whole world knows.
And though the polished often shine,
The power’s in the unrefined.

Because I’ve stumbled.
Because I’ve spun.
Because I’ve broken--
And still, I run.

Because the fight is fierce, not fair…
But I still show up. I’m still there.

The world says hush. I say speak.
To show how I’m strong, I show how I’m weak.
For every soul who’s felt unheard,
I write a line. I speak a word.

Because I can.
Because I must.
Because my voice
Was born from dust.
Because this breath,
This space, this time--
Was gifted to me
To turn into rhyme.

The powerful play goes on, they say--
And I won’t watch it drift away.
I’ll take my part. I’ll stake my claim.
Not just survive, but spark the flame.

So here I stand. No need to rehearse.
This is my life. This is my verse.
I’ll write it loud. I’ll write it true.
I’ll write it now… What will you do?