I am, I yearn, I grieve, I build…

by a collective of voices at Ypsi Juneteenth 2026

 

I am the wind

I yearn for peace and prosperity for everyone

I grieve the lives lost to racism & police brutality

I build a space for life of all kinds

I embrace the hands of all who reach out with love

I read lots of books

I plant seeds of change, care, and nourishment

I love my family

I need to be seen as human, loved, understood

I play with the wonders of what moves me

I miss my dogs very much

I worry about worrying

I fight no one, because I am non-violent

I try to uplift & support my Black artist friends & family

I touch kindness with the souls I meet

I care about others

I wish the world will become happy

I remember the wind on my skin on a hot summer day

 

 

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This collective poem was created at PoetTreeTown’s booth during the Ypsi Juneteenth festival in June 2026. We invited kids and adults who stopped by our table to choose one line to fill out, in any way that the line spoke to them in the moment. The final poem, contributed to by 18 people, is a weaving of personal identity & voice, and a celebration of the strength & beauty of a connected and care-centered  community.

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This is an original poem, brought to you by Poet Tree Town, a Washtenaw-based poetry-in-public initiative and celebration of local poets. Find out more about Poet Tree Town on Instagram and Facebook, or say hello at [email protected].