I'm Happy Thoreau Went To Jail.

There isn't much I could write.
To explain what the past few months have meant to me.
There is no poem.
That can express the feelings I have.
You gave me hope in something I knew nothing of.
Gave me love that I've never received.
With no matter what I told you.
You yourself still believed.
When others would have doubted me,
You saw truth.
You didn't take me for what others would consider.
Just another ignorant youth.
You took me for who I was.
Not who everyone wanted me to be.
Even with the hype that comes with my name.
You weren't afraid to find out the real me.
I'm not sure why,
Nor do I really care.
But you took a chance,
That no one else would dare take.
Only to find out,
That there was more to the name Jake.
You've helped me grow as a person,
And for that I thank you like no other.
You've been more than a friend to me,
You've been more like a mother,
You've cared if I had a problem,
Helped me if I called for aid.
I've only known you for a semester,
And you've helped me more than any teacher at this school.
I'm truly thankful that I have another year to get to know you.
That this wasn't my final play.
That I didn't wait too long.
And that I'm in theater to stay.
You put me in this family,
The only one I've ever felt welcome in.
Even after we won State,
You still E-mail me to check on things,
Help me with my poetry,
I don't think you understand the joy this brings.
To know that you still care,
That someone cares about my day.
I finally don't feel so empty when I go home.
We've been through the happy,
We've also had our share of sad,
But to know that we accomplished all we did,
Makes life that much sweeter.
But I just wanted to try to express this to you.
And what I'm really trying to say.
Is that I thank you for all you've done Ms T.
And for the rest of my life,
I will be thankful to you, each and every day.

(c) JP 2006