A Few Words Can Elevate Our Pain When We Suffer and Fail

Today’s guest on “Poetry from Daily Life” is Kalli Dakos, who lives in Ottawa, Canada. She was named after her Greek grandmother. Kalli (rhymes with Sally) derives from the Greek muse of poetry. Kalli fell in love with writing in the 5th grade and her first book was published in 1990. Special areas of her interest include poetry, picture books, magazine articles, and teacher materials. Two of her favorite books to work on were “Recess in the Dark, Poems from the Far North” and “If You’re Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand, Poems About School.” A unique fact about Kalli is that she taught in a town called Inuvik in the far north of Canada, 60 miles above the Arctic Circle. ~ David L. Harrison

Poetry has a unique way of helping us celebrate life and face its myriad challenges. For Kalli Dakos, poetry became a lifeline at a young age. At 12, she lost her father to cancer. In those days, death wasn’t openly discussed with children.

Kalli found solace in simple poems of grief and loss published in the obituary section of her local newspaper. For years, she read these poems, which provided her with the strength to process her grief.

One such poem that resonated with her was:

If you love someone,

cherish him with care.

You’ll never know the heartache,

till you see his vacant chair.

This experience taught Kalli the power of poetry to help people confront sadness and build resilience. Now, as an adult, she loves celebrating poetry with children at elementary schools. She knows that in every audience, there are children going through their own forms of grief.

During a session with third and fourth graders, a young girl shared a poignant story. “My mother died last year, and I want to be a songwriter,” the child said before singing a song she wrote about her mother. Her voice and lyrics were a testament to the deep emotions she felt, capturing the hearts of everyone in the room.

Robert Frost once said, “Art doesn’t end pain. It elevates it.” That day, the young girl’s song not only shared her sorrow but also expanded the compassion of her classmates. Even the youngest children understood the gravity of her loss and felt empathy for their friend.

Kalli has penned over three thousand poems about life in elementary schools. She believes even a short poem can have a significant impact on a child. One of her recurring themes is failure. In a world that often prioritizes success, Kalli challenges this focus through her poetry.

She wrote:

Don’t tell me I won’t fail,

for it might not be true.

Just tell me you’ll still love me,

even if I do.

In just twenty-three words, this poem highlights that life is more about love than success or failure. Children need the courage to face risks, knowing they are loved regardless of the outcome.

Kalli’s belief in the power of words to make a difference is unshaken. She once met an elderly Inuit woman above the Arctic Circle who confessed, “I have never learned to read, and I feel like I am blind.” This reinforced Kalli’s commitment to ensuring that children experience the light of literacy.

In challenging times, the empowering and beautiful words of poetry can ignite hope and growth. Through her work, Kalli continues to inspire many, illuminating the path for young minds with the light of poetry.

Kalli Dakos has written many books of poetry. She was a 2022 recipient of the Excellence in Poetry for Children Award from the National Council of Teachers of English for “They Only See the Outside.” Five of her titles have been Children’s Choice Selections. She’s a former reading specialist and elementary school teacher. Her website is: www.kallidakos.com.