Through Their Eyes

This month, we have partnered with the SEAL team to promote social and emotional wellness -- more specifically, writing from someone else's point of view.

“All I See Is…” by Vincent Janda


In this world of glistening sunshine

And sparkling rainbows

All I see is… pitch black skies

And plummeting rain


In this world of happiness

And self-determination

All I see is… angry people

And acts of tyranny


In this world of peace

And justice

All I see is… ongoing war

And discrimination


In this world of cleanliness

And total commitment

All I see is… decayed streets

And neglectful citizens


"Solid Stone Eyes" by Teagan Noll

I see the fear within their eyes,

But why is it there?

I used to be beautiful with long golden hair.

For what has happened to me isn’t fair.

I didn’t mean it, I swear!

How could you know what happened if you weren’t there?

He used me, abused me, and left me alone.

Yet all you did was abuse the power of your throne.

A Gorgan, a monster, a said “disgrace”.

All people do is hide from my face.

I obeyed and stayed,

And yet still I was slain.

Every scream and every cry,

Doesn’t mean a thing as these years go by.

Stuck in a state, seeing through.

These stone solid eyes that came from you.

I’m not the traitor, you are.

And now I’m stuck with this ugly scar.


"my sun" by Michelle Ortiz

i awake from my deep slumber to oversee the tiny people on the ground

i give off warmth and give life to the flowers below

shining bright

but i am too bright for these people cannot see my beauty

they can only feel me


they are such tiny people yet are so big

their minds wander into the depths that they can allow

they are bright just like me

but there are some who i wonder if they can reach that brightness too


i can survive for many years but they can only for a hundred

but even in those hundred years, they make wonderful steps

i wonder by the time i leave will they still be here with me?

i wish to not leave


they need my warmth

they need light for them to follow

the deep slumber i go into only leaves me to worry for them

the cold takes over for them


but i should worry not for them, they have bright minds

even in the darks and shadows they still shine brightly for the steps they take

they evolve

and they keep going


i wish to look after them longer

for i am still afraid for them to go

but whether or not

i will look after them with the warmth i give off, hoping they receive it well.


"Smiles From A Distance" by Taylor Paterson

As I walked out of my house one morning I saw the kids across the street playing together.

The one small blonde-haired girl specifically caught my eye because she reminded me of myself.

Wearing a smile from ear to ear, she seemed happy as though nothing bad would come her way.

It brought back fond memories of when I was one of those kids hanging out after school, running home from the bus to go and play.

How did I not know that it was the last day that we were all going to be together?

How is anyone supposed to know that it was the last day before they would go their separate ways?

I’m thinking to myself “Play a little longer, don’t rush it.” You never know how long that smile will last.