National Adult Literacy Database

October 8, 2001

The following poem was written by Peter Brown, from North Bay, Ontario. To cope with the frustrations of not being able to read, Peter took up Martial Arts. He found his strength. He enjoyed learning all the different techniques and did so well that he became an instructor. Peter really enjoyed teaching his students and helping them to improve themselves and develop their inner discipline. Peter also has two children who have worked hard to enter college and university. He has encouraged and motivated them by telling them that they could be anything they wanted to be. By admitting his literacy problems, Peter has taken the steps he needs to fulfil his dreams and give him the written words to express the poems that have always formed in his head, but had no way out.

The Unsung Hero

by Peter Brown

The unsung hero, who can it be
The unsung hero, is it a he or a she
Could it be you, could it be me
A teacher , a mother, a father, a brother, or a sister
What if it's everyone - that would be a twister.
So look around and see what you see,
The unsung hero is you and me.