[stylist] poetry question

[Donna Hill]

Vejas,
I'm not a poet, so I don't think I can be of much help here in terms of
suggestions for re writing or answers to whether it is indeed a poem.  I
will say this though; this is a message that needs to get out there and it
clearly resonated with your classmates. So, by all means submit it. I think
that some of its power that your classmates felt comes from your voice as
you read it aloud, and it is that passion and empathy that make it poetic. I
think we often forget that poetry was first and foremost a spoken art, and
there are things in the way we speak that cannot be fully imitated in the
written language. 

Keep writing, you have a lot to give.
Donna
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of vejas
Sent: Saturday, April 20, 2013 6:01 PM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: [stylist] poetry question

Hi all,
I've been so busy lately (AP euro test in a month) that I haven't really had
a chance to do much on the list.
I normally don't write poetry, but we wrote poems yesterday for my creative
writing club in high school.  I shared my poem to the club members, who were
all very enthusiastic about it.  They want me to submit it to our
high-school literary magazine.
But like I said, I really don't write much poetry, so I would really like
some advice on how to make my poem good.  I feel like it lacks flow and
formatting and it is not really considered a poem.
Any suggesttions welcome.  I've attached it, and will paste it at the bottom
of this e-mail.
Thanks so much.
Vejas
I Speak for the Silent
by Vejas Vasiliauskas
I speak for the silent.
I come to tell you that you are not alone.
There are many other people out there like you.
For the millions of you who think that no one will care, There are millions
more who will want to hear your story and listen to you.
Speak up, and your life will change for the better.
Yes, I know it is hard, but you can do it.
I know, because I did.
I used to be one of these silent people, so  I know you can do it!
You are NOT alone.