Poetry has the power to impact change. Through workshops, performances, and collaborations, I work with individuals and organizations to harness poetry as a transformative tool for activism and awareness. Whether addressing social justice, environmental issues, or personal empowerment, my poetry amplifies voices, fosters connection, and drives meaningful dialogue around important issues. Book today to see art of words create impactful change!
Soar
This piece was commissioned by Safe Passage. “Safe Passage gives abused children a voice and enables the healing process by acting as the single source of contact for medical, investigative, and legal services. Safe Passage serves children from birth to the age of 18, as well as intellectually developmentally disabled adults, who are victims of sexual or physical abuse and/or are witnesses to homicide or domestic violence.” This poem represents arts and advocacy. I was invited to create a piece that honored the work of this organization and reinforced that our trauma does not define us. This poem was a labor of love and a powerful advocacy tool that I have used with other organizations with similar populations.
Soar
The process of becoming a butterfly is complex.
Caterpillars experience the world as many young people do.
Navigating the beauties of life and in some cases experiencing the trauma the world can inflict.
There have been times when it felt impossible to get to a new state of being after enduring the harshness of abuse.
Survival was the only goal, hoping the future held something different.
Trauma doesn’t stop the metamorphosis, in some ways it propels us.
Each transition is unique and complicated, but the transformation always comes.
First, is the surrounding and holding during the vulnerable time.
A once hard and solid body becomes liquid and malleable in the release and the exhale of safety.
The caterpillar does not magic into something new.
It reorganizes itself leaving out the parts no longer needed, pulling in experiences that fortify and strengthen its return.
Wrapped in protection. the housing of this change becomes safe passage.
Becomes the site to heal, to shed, to be renewed.
Reminding them that they are valid, enough, and capable in all stages of their change.
A metamorphosis from earth bound travel into wind swept skies.
Emerging from the chrysalis into who they were always meant to be.
Reclaiming their bodies, minds and souls as they dance along the air.
Bright vibrant colors of their wings to signify the brilliance of their endurance.
Hope is a sky full of delicate souls flying when once they thought they’d never leave the ground.
We are not the painful things that happen to us.
Our traumas do not define who we are or who we will be.
Those experiences can not stop the nature of the human spirit to evolve, grow, and expand.
Instead, may it remind us that the work of a chrysalis is imperative.
The work of safe passage is life saving.
Being the incubator for continual butterfly releases.
When you see a butterfly in the world, it’s impossible not to smile.
You watch it float around freely hoping it lands on you.
You become still so they may choose you to rest.
A chance to behold their splendor.
They are gifts.
They come with history and experience, yet weightless in their accent to new horizons.
Inspiring other caterpillars that they have the capacity to soar.
Ashley Cornelius, 2023
use the Power of Poetry
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