Poem: Stammer

Image
A six piece puzzle, with text written on each piece forming a poem, with one piece containing a picture of a woman.
Caption
Rachel's puzzle poem

Rachel Carter sent us this brilliantly creative visual poem about her stammer.

Rachel told us: "Thanks to my speech & language therapist, who taught me acceptance of my stammer, along with the increase of stammering awareness on social media, I am now at a place where I can talk openly about stammering and even be creative with it! I would be really honoured to have my poem published on your website".

See the picture above to get the real effect of Rachel's poem, but below is a transcription.

Stammer

By Rachel Carter

I have a STAMMER,
which means when speaking,
I use a unique type of GRAMMAR.

You may not catch all of what I SAID,
but I can put together the whole picture
in my HEAD.

My stammer makes me honest 
even when I don't want to BE.
How I'm feeling, what I'm thinking.
You'll see the truth all over ME.

Yes, my stammer makes me honest.
There's no claim of being perfect.
I am under no PRETENCE.

And I value those who take the time 
to connect the pieces of my SENTENCE.

Do you have a poem about stammering that you'd like to share? Or maybe a picture or other piece of visual art, or maybe song, a piece a music, or a video of you dancing? We'd love to see whatever you have. Send it to editor@stamma.org  

Image
Two women in running outfits holding flags and looking at the camera
Caption
Tayo & Bhupinder
Image
A speaker on stage at STAMMAFest 2023

Become a member

It's free

Join the movement to change how people understand and react to stammering.

Sign up

Campaign. Fundraise. Connect. Meet. Vote. Talk.

Your Voice