"New beginning, new hope"

"When dreams refuse to die"

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The sun slowly rose over a strange land,
Feet shaking as they met the sand.
Behind her were shadows so deep,
Of shattered dreams and sleepless nights.

Adanna walked with hands that were once bound,
By fears, by loss, by a love that faded.
But now she stood, with scars still there,
Ready to dream again despite the pain.

She came from a place where silence thrived,
Where girls were told what they shouldn't do.
"Don’t dream too big," they often warned,
"Stay in your place, don’t try to soar."

Yet her heart sang a hidden song,
A tune that blossomed under the moonlight.
Of books she kept tucked under her bed,
Of poems and futures she envisioned in red.

There was a night she remembers well,
When hunger echoed against the walls.
Her mother cried and prayed softly,
For light to arrive, for peace to flourish.

That night, Adanna made a promise—
"No matter what happens, I will rise somehow."
She envisioned cities, healing hands,
And walking proudly in distant lands.

Years went by. She stumbled, she persevered,
She laughed, she fell apart, she healed, she shed tears.
She learned by candlelight,
Then danced alone in peaceful joy.

Until one morning, an email arrived—
"A scholarship in your name."
Tears streamed down like summer rain,
A spirit renewed through joy and suffering.

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Now she stands where dreams take flight,
In bright halls, with her head held high.
Her past a blaze, her hope the spark,
Her tale told without any shame.

New beginnings are often quiet,
Not loud like thunder or the sound of wings.
Sometimes they arrive in subtle ways,
In soft prayers, in fresh new days.

A boy in Makoko constructs with blocks,
Imagining cities and ticking clocks.
Even if floods rise and lights go dim,
He dreams in color, free from grim.

A widow tends her little garden,
Each seed she plants defies the burden.
Though she has lost, her faith remains,
In harvests that the heart sustains.

A poet scribbles on scrap and slate,
Words she believes could change her fate.
She dares to express, to write, to thrive,
With every new line, her spirit comes alive.

From ashes, the phoenix takes its flight,
From the darkest hour, emerges the light.
New hope arises where courage stays,
Where faith endures through the longest days.

So rise once more, you dreaming soul,
Regardless of what the past may control.
Your story is just starting to unfold,
A dawn has arrived to break the cold.

With each step, you sow a seed,
Of what the world truly needs.
A voice, a vision, hands that create,
A heart that will never hesitate.

The path ahead may twist and turn,
But walk it true, until you learn.
For every soul that strives to cope,
There lies a new beginning—
And endless hope.

Why this poem???

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I selected this poem, "When dreams refuse to die," to illustrate the common journey of overcoming pain to find purpose. It intertwines real-life challenges such as hunger, discouragement, and social barriers with the uplifting force of dreams and inner resilience. The character Adanna represents many individuals who have been told to remain small, yet choose to rise regardless.

Each stanza is designed to provide imagery and emotion that resonate with readers personally, while also reflecting wider, shared experiences. The presence of imaginative children, grieving mothers, and determined artists enriches the narrative and creates a sense of community.

The poem’s format reflects life itself: uncertain starts, instances of failure, and the beauty of rekindled hope. I aimed to convey that a “new beginning” is not merely a physical change, it’s a transformation in spirit, courage, and belief. This work serves as both a reflection for the weary and a beacon for the hopeful.

I invite @pandora2010 @mariami @aviral123