Poetry Corner with Ivy and Friends: Poet of the Day Jennifer Kubis
GETTING TO KNOW THE POET
Tell us a little bit about yourself, Jennifer.
I was born in Pittsburgh, PA. Both my parents passed away when I was a pre-teen and I was sent to Oklahoma to live with my sister. I began writing poetry when I was a teenager to help me cope with my emotions. I went to college at Oklahoma State and studied creative writing under Nuala Archer. I find when I am at my low points in life, I pick up a pen and write. It always makes me feel better.
What inspires you to write poetry?
In the past few years, I have looked at society and realized that the issues going on in the world needed a voice. So I am starting to write about controversial issues. I hope to have enough poems soon to write a book of poetry about them. I like to write poems that really make people think and understand the issues around them.
When people read your poetry, what is it that you would like or hope they understand about you through your words?
I would hope that people can feel enough through my poetry to make a difference and provoke change in these areas. My poem on domestic violence was made into a poster and hung on a wall of a safe house. I visited the house several months later and was told by two different occupants that it gave them hope and the courage to continue on a path of recovery. Knowing that my poetry has helped even one person made it worthwhile. I hope that I can continue to help and inspire people through my poetry.
POETRY BY JENNIFER KUBIS
A Victim of Society
By Jennifer Kubis
A child born to a mother that is unwed
Addicted to drugs and on his deathbed
He struggles and fights until he wins
The true struggle of life just then begins
A mattress on the floor that is tattered and torn
Is the only bed he has known since he was born
The school in which he goes is way below par
No funds for his district to help raise the bar
But he studies real hard determined to move out
Into a part of town that has a little more clout
A star pupil who is making the grade
But without the money his college dreams fade
He decides to work and sit out a year
So he could afford his books and other college gear
He works overtime to make so much more
A lowly cashier at his favorite local store
A mother relapses without him around
Prescription street drugs fatally bring her down
He feared this would happen as he stood at her grave
Tears strolling down his face as he tries to be brave
He knows once again his dreams are on hold
Because rent he must pay to stay out of the cold
A second job now he must take
He works really hard as he knows what is at stake
But each day it becomes harder and harder to cope
However he never gives up his faith or loses his hope
The one day he will be able to leave this town
And walk across the college stage in his cap and gown
He works extra hard no end in sight
Until that last cold dark and lonely night
His boss had to run to the bank and leave him alone
A customer walked in when he was on the phone
He didn't notice the look the guy had in his eye
As he pulled out the gun and screamed "money or die"
In shock he hesitated just for a moment
Swiftly and precisely off the gun went
There in a pool of blood his body did lie
For forty seven dollars he had to die
His life and his dreams gone in a whim
Sadly to society he is just another victim.
By Jennifer Kubis
A child born to a mother that is unwed
Addicted to drugs and on his deathbed
He struggles and fights until he wins
The true struggle of life just then begins
A mattress on the floor that is tattered and torn
Is the only bed he has known since he was born
The school in which he goes is way below par
No funds for his district to help raise the bar
But he studies real hard determined to move out
Into a part of town that has a little more clout
A star pupil who is making the grade
But without the money his college dreams fade
He decides to work and sit out a year
So he could afford his books and other college gear
He works overtime to make so much more
A lowly cashier at his favorite local store
A mother relapses without him around
Prescription street drugs fatally bring her down
He feared this would happen as he stood at her grave
Tears strolling down his face as he tries to be brave
He knows once again his dreams are on hold
Because rent he must pay to stay out of the cold
A second job now he must take
He works really hard as he knows what is at stake
But each day it becomes harder and harder to cope
However he never gives up his faith or loses his hope
The one day he will be able to leave this town
And walk across the college stage in his cap and gown
He works extra hard no end in sight
Until that last cold dark and lonely night
His boss had to run to the bank and leave him alone
A customer walked in when he was on the phone
He didn't notice the look the guy had in his eye
As he pulled out the gun and screamed "money or die"
In shock he hesitated just for a moment
Swiftly and precisely off the gun went
There in a pool of blood his body did lie
For forty seven dollars he had to die
His life and his dreams gone in a whim
Sadly to society he is just another victim.
Awakenings Visions
By Jennifer Kubis
Sitting alone staring into the looking glass
Starting at a vision I don't yet recognize
No bruises or dotted black eyes
No reason to make up stories or tell others lies
A vision of peacefulness is all that I see
Cheeks glowing in the sunlight; lips like rubies
The steadiness of my hand as it lifts the brush
Gently stroking my hair no more need to rush
The fears in my head all sad memories
Are starting to fade and take their leave
As I look in the mirror a smile starts to form
My insides feel different suddenly warm
I know that I am better than he led me to believe
But I've no time for sorrow-no time to grieve
I have a new life full of hopes and dreams
I know sometimes as bad as it seems
That kindness and respect is what I deserve
I must pick up my courage and strengthen my nerve
To move forward to start a brand new life
To become the woman I know I can be
Because until then I'll never truly be free.
A Wounded Warrior
By Jennifer Kubis
A boy looking to travel the world
Not knowing it meant giving up his soul
Sent into an area vastly and unrecognized by him
Fighting for freedom for those unknown
The war rages on all around
The missiles fly above in the darkly lit skies
Their fiery explosion desecrating the ground
where many soldiers stood once before
he knows not the faces of the lives he saves
he knows not the faces of the lives he saves
As those died around him are placed in unmarked shallow graves
And why it couldn't be fought like those long before
The weapons have changed
There no rules in which to abide
A small child swiftly runs up to his side
In which he takes pity
Those around him scatter into the night
He looks down and realizes why they all ran
As he notices a grenade in the child's tiny little hand
Without thinking he reaches down
He grabs the bomb to throw it as far as he could
But he couldn't get it far enough to do any good
The bodies lay scattered along the desert road
He looks around shocked and dismayed
Then he noticed the pool of blood in which he laid
He whimpers out a cry into the night
Sadly he knows he lost this fight
Surprised he waked up in the hospital room
The sounds in his head still going boom
Tears he sees in his mother's eyes
As he looks down he soon realizes why
Still air stands where his legs used to be
He lets out a scream into the dark
He had known right away something wasn't right
He wondered how he would support a family when he couldn't even get up
His sergeant said he was a hero
And he saved several lives
Was it all worth it he wondered
As life passed him by
The war soon ended
The government forgot all about him
As he sat by the side of the road
Begging for pennies just to eat
The president sent funds to build back the land
But no one cared enough to give him a hand
The worst troubles he had were all in his head
Staring at life wishing he were dead
A warrior's battle is never really done
For he will always be questioning who really won.
Poet Jennifer Kubis was asked to share one of her favorite poems and she chose to share, "How Do I Love Thee" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Here is why...
What is it about, "How Do I Love Thee" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, that makes it your favorite poem?
Elizabeth Barrett Browning campaigned for social issues from slavery to child labor. We studied her in high school and she helped influence me to let my emotions out on paper. Her classic "How Do I Love Thee" poem is my favorite because she loved Robert Browning in secret and she knew her father would not approve. She followed her heart and ran off to marry him even though it got her disinherited by her father.
THANK YOU
I would like to Thank Poet Jennifer Kubis for taking the time to share with us some of her poetry. It's been a great pleasure getting to know you and your continuous fight to inspire the world. You told us different poetic stories and they were amazing. We hope to see more of your poetry around the way. May your journey continue to bring you the words and inspiration to share with all of us.
Happy writing!
Happy writing!
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