Ve'ahavta's Creative Writing Contest, in its 13th year, gives homeless men, women, and youth the opportunity to have their voices heard through written works of art. Facilitated preparatory writing workshops have taken place in Toronto, Vancouver, and Halifax with thousands of eager participants. Writing entries are evaluated by panel of judges, which have included Tony Blair, Michael Ondaatje, Michael "Pinball" Clemens, and Ron Maclean, among others. Winners are awarded with cash prizes which have the potential to dramatically change their life circumstances. The Creative Writing contest has proven to be a life-changing experience for many -- including contestants, judges, and audience members who will hear live readings of the winning entries at a concluding Coffee House event. This year's event takes place Tuesday, July 9th, 8:00pm at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto (1950 Bathurst Street). What follows is the third place entry written by Cynthia Scott.
I was conceived, my parents were physically blind
Always we sat under the poverty line
My name was given but not by my mom
She was in shock; her mind became numb
We were two that came out of her womb
My mom couldn't speak she just lay in her room
At the hospital I was number one, my sister number two
The nurse named me Cynthia...."that's for you"
My sister was named Sandra and this is all true
My mom liked the names
We both looked the same
She could always tell, she really knew
Which one was which, the struggle was for food
My life was new but my father was cruel
My innocence was taken by sexual abuse
Despair and sadness I couldn't break through
I would cry in silence, a slow class at school
I was so teased, I didn't feel normal
I got beaten up, my clothes were horrible
I felt so empty and my skin just a cover
I was so thin and not an inch of blubber
No stranger to pain, my sister shared the same
The ones that I loved were part of his game
Worthlessness, guilt, all the feelings of shame
I didn't know, I took all of the blame
Hopelessness, despair and fear I was there,
I was just trapped inside a tear
This is why my tears are now clear
No one to blame!
I let go of the pain
At the age of seven a rifle to my head
Some relatives thought we were better off dead
Tucked in the arms of my loving mother
This was a judgment brought on by others
We got away but in silence we stayed
My life no meaning and with every breath I paid
One day at a time, it was just that way
With the pressures of life I didn't feel great
My thoughts were wishing that I was dead
Now with the help of medicine, it goes to my head
Living with post traumatic stress disorder and disassociation
Will! Am I rising out of the situation?
Yes, Yes I believe, I'm pursuing my education
Hopeless, Homeless, Hunger, and I lived through it all
But never did I use drugs or alcohol
I had a husband; he didn't stay long
I raised the children all on my own
You didn't hear the rest of my horror
I'll bring it out into this poem, it reads like a story
But there are no worries, I have some glories
Stick around a bit! I'll tell you some more
I just found out I'm not quite a bore
Paper as my mouth I will speak out
Learning disabilities, what are they talking about?
I have a degree in survival
Do you understand? Do you see?
I couldn't fit into the main stream
But now this is my time to beam
Feeling brand new.....dreaming of university
The hope I have is all the possibilities
As I write, my confidence builds
OH..... WOW...... when I spell, what a Thrill!!!
My children are precious and are all grown
And my grandchildren? We share a strong bond
Take a deep breath, life can give you a ride
In my arms, my sweet, sweet, grandchild died
At the age of two he was part of our tribe
Deep in my heart will always be a cry
Shelters and garbage cans I have no pride
These were the gifts on how I survived
Eating out of garbage cans, oh! Is it a shame?
I wonder if you know, hunger is a pain
At fifty-one I still look at the cans
Poverty still with me but I have new plans
Innocent: I was born
Circumstance: set my course
Unfortunate: events occurred
Affect: the way I soared
Life! still pushes me to and fro
But now I have more control
WOW!!! The inner me I didn't see
Look up what my name really means
Come on humanity! Let's break the chain
Poverty is here, Education is the gain!!
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