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Marie-Paul’s Collection

Read through Marie-Paul’s original poems and get a glimpse of her powerful work.

Excellence Unveiled

as performed at the Lifting Stripes Initiative Scholarships and Awards Gala, 2025

Before
It all seemed so uncertain.

Secrets were hidden behind curtains
And whispered about in conversations.

You had to watch back doors shut and open
While you were left falling into the overflow.

Before
What you didn’t know
Outweighed what you wanted to
And the heaps of hurdles in front of you
Made it all feel impossible.

Until
Someone walked in
And extended hope unburdened.

Cherished your potential
As if it was their purpose.
Lifted up the throw
To reveal what lie underneath
Allowing you too to see
Who you could be.

Since
You have crossed over that bridge.

And the words of gratitude roll off your tongue
They land on them but also touch those to come.

Equipped with all you’ve gained
You give of yourself
Just as others have done
And prove it is always the right thing
Lifting someone else up.

Because on you many blessings have fallen
And more are surely to come
But imagine,

No one had ever lifted a hand
To carry you up and show you the way.
Looked you in the eyes
And gave you an opportunity.

Told you it was possible
And that you were the possibility.

There would be no chance to form community.

Where in this new light
Right here
You are blooming.

And your excellence once buried

Will remain unveiled.

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