Beliefs

Beliefs
By Amanda Longee, age 11

I believe in Corn snakes! Mine is Kinkaju.
I believe in my cat. She loves to eat food.
I believe in my friends. They helped me when I got hurt.
I believe in my family. They keep me happy.
I believe in food, especially mashed potatoes and gravy.

I do not believe in people eating chocolate in front of me.
I do not believe in branches, anymore.
I do not believe in my dog biting me.
I do not believe in destroying forests to build houses.
I do not believe in my cat scratching me
A ton of times in a row.

I wish I believed my right hand would wake up.
I wish I believed I could stand up for a long time.
I wish I believed I could take the splint off my foot.
I wish I believed my fingers would stretch themselves.
I wish I believed I could run.
I wish I believed I could go home today,
But it’s not happening yet.

This broadside celebrates the partnership of Seattle Arts & Lectures’ Writers in the Schools Program and Seattle Children’s Hospital, empowering pediatric patients with guidance from poets Sierra Nelson and Ann Teplick. It was produced at the School of Visual Concepts in April 2018 and letterpress printed by Sarah Kulfan in a limited edition of 110.