I first joined Skool with a dream and a prayer,
Three members showed up and one was just air.
I posted like crazy, got views from my mom,
And every βnew memberβ felt bigger than prom.
I sat there refreshing the page every night,
Like βCOME ON, algorithm do something right!β
One comment would hit and Iβd nearly pass out,
Then realize it was me replying no doubt.
Back then my classroom looked empty and bare,
Like a haunted old house with depression in there.
Now poets walk in like itβs Cheers at the bar,
βHey Jason!β βHey Monkey!β βWe know who you are!β
Now anthologies fly and the poets all write,
Notifications hit harder than Vegas at night.
Got members from everywhere sharing their soul,
And somehow this poetry thing made me whole.
So hereβs to the struggle, the doubt, and the grind,
To the days I felt broke in my wallet and mind.
Because now when I look at this wild little crew
I built more than a community.
I built a home too.
By Jason Strickland
The Art of Poetry Community