When World's Collide
by Keith Zimmer 

 The great poem I, Too, Sing America by Langston Hughes was read to me as a part of Owego Free Academy's English 12 curriculum. In studying this poem my English 12 teacher, Mr. Evans, had our class write our own I, too, sing America poem about a time in which we felt disenfranchised from society, as how Langston Hughes felt during the writing of his poem.
 I thought this was a great idea as I could write whatever I felt disconnected me from society, and anyone who is a teenager knows that we always feel in some way disconnected from this society that we are trying to find our identity in. I wrote the following poem to complete the assignment that did not even feel like a regular assignment to begin with.

       I, too, sing America  
 
 I am just a young adult, so they say.
 Outcasted by the people "wiser" than I.
 Everything I say is looked at with a critical eye.
 Stereotyped in my prime, forgotten in the days beyond. 

 We are the future, not just mindless adolescents.
 If I am not given the respect, I will take it. 
 I will show you one milestone at a time.
 No matter what you say I can't be stopped.
 My confidence is like steel, unbreakable.

 I am determined to win the battle and show you all.
 I, too, sing America.

 I wrote this poem for all the adults that will not give young people the opportunities some of us have earned. Nothing makes me feel more disenfranchised from society than when an adult tells me that just because I am younger that I cannot handle certain responsibilities due to my age. I use this monthly column to make my voice heard, to speak out against the situations I do not like. I encourage all of you teenagers to do something like me, not just with writing - but anything that makes your voice heard; show the older, "wiser," adults that we should be respected and if we are not we will take that respect no matter what they say or do to stop us.

 If you have any questions or comments please contact me at keithzimmer@yahoo.com or on AOL Instant Messenger, my screen name is maineventplayer.