"Manifesto: First Words" poem by Andrew Larsen

Andrew Larsen writing his poem "Manifesto: First Words" at The Spark's first poetry night at Venture on King. The Spark hosts a poetry night each month where students read and discuss a theme poem, write a poem of their own, and share their poetry with the group. Photo credit: Adrienne Stumb

Take that first step. You hear always

"That which comes hard is almost always worth the fight."

The issue is we often times neglect the beginning of the process, 

and spend life worrying about what comes next.

We leave words unspoken, stands never taken, life never lived.

We live among infinite realities in which we did or did not say those words.

The words which could turn the tide. Make someone keep going. 

Change the course of history. 

When you consider it this way, the answer is self-evident.

And yet we fear, fear something so temporary as our appearance will be changed, 

Fear that we will face rejection.

Yet, weigh it against the alternative.

Hundreds of years later, those words may continue to inspire others, 

Call them to action!

You won't be remembered as the embarrassing one who spoke up,

The failure who dared to do something. 

You'll be the hero who said something when all others feared.

Be bold. Tell them “no.” Tell them you're human. Tell them you love them.

Tell them you hate them. Remind them that they, too, can be human.

It doesn't matter what the words are.

Just take that first step, and say the hardest words anyone may say:

The first.