Love Letters to Poetry | “Ask”

I wrote “Ask” because I know it is not always easy to ask questions.

Ask
by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie

Math I can’t solve
words I don’t know
confusing science projects
my test grades are low

I thought I understood
but I can’t do the task
“Don’t give up” the teacher says
“raise your hand and ask”

Asking just makes me feel dumb
I tell the teacher so
“There is nothing dumb about you” she says
“questions help us learn and grow”

Math I thought I couldn’t solve
until I raised my hand
it’s okay to ask for help
oh, now I understand

New words? I pronounce them
I know their meanings too
science experiments, history
there’s nothing I can’t do.

In a class where everyone else seems to know what is being taught and we don’t understand, sometimes we feel embarrassed. We need help but we don’t feel comfortable enough to ask for it. I have felt that way.

I have been a student and actually, I am a student now. Even as an adult I hear people talk about things I don’t know and use vocabulary I am not familiar with. I have learned to ask questions even if I am a little embarrassed or afraid.

I say, “what does that word mean? Can you explain that some more? What exactly is that?” I want to learn and the only way I can do that is by asking questions and doing research. I won’t let my embarrassment about not knowing something get in the way of the growth that will come from asking a question.

I hope this poem inspires people of all ages to have the courage to ask the questions they need to ask!