National Adult Literacy Database

May 24, 1999

The following poem was written by Elizabeth Spencer, from Calgary, Alberta. When does a learner become literate? Imagine a student involved in a parent literacy program engaged in literacy enhancing activities for two years, finally revealing that she is a poet. Elizabeth Spencer did just that. As a young mom of a brand new baby boy, Elizabeth attended a Literacy and Parenting Skills (LAPS) class for almost two years at a Women In Need Family Resource Drop-In Centre in Calgary. Her sessions provided opportunities to gain parenting strategies and to engage in literacy activities. As her confidence and skills developed, she revealed timidly that she enjoyed writing poetry. The poem below illustrated that when a person is validated and supported, the learning really begins. Elizabeth Spencer now describes herself as a lifelong learner.

Finally Free

by Elizabeth Spencer

Depth of my feelings,
Once hidden beneath the mask.
All wounds left scarred,
Which to overcome has been a task.
Overwhelmed with all,
I know now is true.
Consciously aware,
Of all that I do.
As I hid behind my smile,
All I didn't want to know.
Now enlightened on how,
All the ways to show.
I've now walked into the sunlight,
Where I can finally be.
Uncovered from the darkness,
I am finally free.