“Ms. Laverne said every day we should ask ourselves, ‘If the worst thing in the world happened, would I help protect someone else? Would I let myself be a harbor for someone who needs it?’ Then she said, ‘I want each of you to say to the other: I will harbor you.’
I will harbor you.”
Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson (p. 34)
My students, this is my promise to you…
I will harbor you
I will welcome you to
our school
our classroom
our space
I will teach you
to multiply
your kindnesses
to write
your story
to read
your world
I will show you
how to crawl inside the pages of a book
so you can stand outside of yourself
how to raise your voice
by lowering one sharp pencil to paper
how to be brave
without a cape or armor
I will ask you to
think deeply
reflect thoughtfully
question boldly
I will listen to you
when you speak confidently
when you whisper timidly
when you say nothing at all
I will see you
in beaming rays of sunshine
under heavy gray clouds
between the silent stars
I will be honest with you
that good people can do bad things
that life is full of unfairness
that grown-ups think making war will lead to peace
I will challenge you
to seek a million answers
but ask a billion questions
to be intolerant of injustice
relentless in reform
persistent in peace
to understand that every day is an opportunity
to be a friend
to learn something new
to be an agent of change
I will comfort you
when wicked words sting
when reliable routines change
when the world tumbles off its axis
I will help you
ride out the storm
stand your ground
find your balance
find your calm
find your home
I will guide you as you
navigate the waves
hoist the sails
dock your ship
I will harbor you.
I will harbor
you.
This poem, this promise, was inspired by award-winning author Jacqueline Woodson’s newest novel, Harbor Me, published August 2018.
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