Irene Latham - Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z

If all you can do is crawl, start crawling.

Rumi

It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.

Nelson Mandela

Irene Latham & Charles Waters

Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

CAROLRHODA BOOKS

Minneapolis

Contents

Irene Latham wrote the poems with red titles. Charles Waters wrote the poems with blue titles. The poets jointly wrote the poems with purple titles.

Abecedarian: each line or stanza begins with the first letter of the alphabet and continues with letters in successive order

a wash in attempts to help cool our fevered world, we

B egin simply with words. We savor syllables,

C onsider history and meaning. We forge ahead with

D etermination, trying to do whats right, though

E ach step is filled with uncertainty.

F or what is more powerfulmore dangerousthan words? What

G athers us, divides us like these letters and how we arrange them?

H ow can we use words to improve ourselves and inspire Mindfulness

I n the hearts of others without perpetuating fears, misunderstandings?

J ust try, a small voice whispers. So we listen and share. We ponder

K arma and Courage, Tenacity, and Hope . We unspool our

L ives, remembering triumphs and failures. We write

M aking poems that celebrate Acceptance , Freedom , Respect , building each

N ecessary step to show more Compassion and Gratitude .

O ur stories put a spotlight on making friendsand losing them. About

P ast mistakes and what were learning. In this never-ending

Q uest to change the world, we challenge ourselves with new forms:

R oundel, cherita, limerick, shadorma. We abandon our complacency,

S earch within ourselves for how to be changemakers, not

T hinking we have all the answers. Now we listen to opposing views with an Open spirit.

U nderstanding takes time. We must be patient as our new

V ocabulary takes root, trusting that change will one day bloom.

W ere unsure, yet willing to bring our authentic selves to you, not some

X eroxed copy of who we wish to be. This is our moment. Please join us

Y ou can start with any word you choose. Read with Empathy and Zest .

Z oom into each new moment ready to bring your best self to the world.

Accept a nce

Persona: written in the voice of the subject of the poem

I am a word with teeth

a crocodile

sunning on a muddy bank.

Some fear me;

others misunderstand me.

Yet I do not flounder (as you do)

in that unhappy swamp

between the way things are

and the way Id like

them to be.

I rest in what is

drowsy, still

belly bulging

as a plover picks bits

of meat from my mouth.

Irene says...

For many years I thought acceptance was some sort of giving ina weakness. Ive believed strongly in my own power to change things, to create the life I want. But what about the things I cant change? Acceptance is actually coming to peace with those things, which takes tremendous courage. I cant change other people. I can only change me. And instead of beating myself up for not being more social, more outspoken, more forgiving, more whateverthe best thing I can do is accept myself right where I am at this very moment. Because like that drowsy crocodile, where I amand where you areis exactly where you need to be.

Try it!

Today give yourselfand those around youa break. Allow everyone to be where they are. Come back to this book tomorrow and the next day and the next. See what happens!

Do we dare be ourselves? That is the question that counts.

Pablo Casals

List: a list or inventory of items, people, places, or ideas

Take one cup of understanding:

When you listened,

without interruption,

after I explained

why a joke you made

about my faith wasnt

funny to me, then

apologized afterwards.

Two dollops of fortitude:

When you stood next to me

when a pack of bullies

made fun of my complexion,

staring at them so fiercely

I thought each of them

would dissolve until one by one

they walked away, defeated.

Three pinches of support:

When you were the only friend to show

up at my first solo piano recital.

Afterwards, my no-nonsense

mother said, You should invite him

over for dinner sometime.

Stir and marinate:

When you did each of these things

I realized this unbreakable, unshakable

support is the vital ingredient

in a wholehearted ally.

The first thing we need allies to do is listen. Come to us with a willingness to grow and evolve. Youre going to make mistakes, and thats fine, but be willing to listen and grow from those mistakes. I think thats the most important trait an ally can have.

Sarah McBride

Charles says...

I dont have many friends, yet the ones I do have time and again come through for me. My college professor Jane Tinker Foderaro was one of these humans. When I was figuring out how to navigate the world after college graduation, her conversations with me about life, professionalism, and hard work helped me find my way in this glorious, complicated world. I soaked up her suggestions and did my best to apply them to my own life. She took the time to listen, dispense advice, and believe in me. Now I do my best to be an ally as well, and I hope you can too.

Try it!

Is there a friend, acquaintance, or someone you may only know a little who supported you during a time of crisis in your life? Use the knowledge they gave you and be the same kind of ally to someone else.