Imagination

Author’s note: I am imaginative. That fact astounds me. You may wonder why; well, I couldn’t talk (I type to talk!) until I was about 11. I am 15 now. And before I could talk, I had no reason to use my imagination: no one knew what I was thinking anyway. But now I get to share all the beautiful thoughts that float through my mind. It’s beyond my favorite thing to do: to dream up things and share them in my poetry and short stories. The world of imagination is lovely beyond compare.

My reality is rather extraordinary.

It looks at times like a fantasy land

Almost magical…

Until life gets involved.

Don’t ask.

But when I shut life out and return to my own magical world all I see is beauty.

If I want to, I can make dragons appear in the sky.

Or fairies flutter around gold and silver poppies.

I can ride Pegasus or sing sea chanteys with pirates as we sail over purple seas.

And I can talk with wizards and laugh with kings.

And then life knocks on the door of my mind.

I need to go for a while, I tell the wizards and dragons and fairies…

But I’ll be back soon

And we’ll invite the stars to come down and play.

Founders’ note: Not everyone is born with the ability to use their voice. Not everyone can easily communicate their thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams. On this page, we’re give nonspeaking people in our community the opportunity to be heard. The authors are students at Mouth to Hand Learning Center in Mount Kisco. You can read about Mouth to Hand in the article “Force of Nature” on our website or in the September/October 2023 issue.

To read other Out Loud articles, click here.

This article was published in the September/October 2026 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.