"Journey Through Heartsongs" by Mattie J.T. Stepanek
One of several books of Mattie's poetry.
Click to see Mattie's poetry at Barnes & Noble[/URL]

Hi guys,

Perhaps you've already heard of Mattie Stepanek, the 11- y/o award-winning poet and peacemaker? He's been writing poetry since the tender age of 3 (he dictated to his mother). He's also got a rare form of muscular dystrophy, which breaks my heart. This kid is awesome. He's a genius. His poetry goes beyond touching. All I can say is he is a very old soul - he is wise beyond his years.

We bought "Journey Through Heartsongs" several months back (after he was on Oprah). Here are a couple poems from the book, so you'll get an idea of his work.

A New Hope

I need a new hope.
A hope that reaches for the stars, and
That does not end in violence or war.
A hope that makes peace on our earth, and
That does not create evil in the world.
A hope that finds cures for all diseases, and
That does not make people hurt,
In their bodies, in their spirits.
I need a hope... a new hope,
A hope that inspires me to live, and
To make all these things happen,
So that the whole world can have
A new hope, too.

May 1999


Eternal Echoes

Our life is an echo
Of our spirit today,
Of our essence
As it is,
Caught between
Our yesterday
And our tomorrow.
It is the resounding
Reality of who we are,
As a result of
Where we have been,
And where we will be,
For eternity.

Spring 2000


December Prayer

No matter who you are,
Say a prayer this season.
No matter what your faith,
Say a prayer this season.
No matter how you celebrate,
Say a prayer this season.
There are so many ways
To celebrate faiths,
There are so many faiths
To celebrate life.
No matter who,
No matter what,
No matter how,
You pray.
Let's say a prayer
This season,
Together, for peace.

December 1999

[ April 18, 2002: Message edited by: KellKell ]

Is it coincidence you posted this today? Because I watched him on Larry King last night. What an amazing person he is. Bill and I both said he was an old soul. This child speaks more truth than most of us. I couldn't believe how well spoken he was. Rarely stumbled for the right words and hardly ever said, um and you know. He has such a pure heart and sees so much into the human spirit. A truly amazing child. I know he was put here for a purpose. Look at how much he has touched the world already. I was in awe of him.

Actually, I meant to post about him before, but seeing him on Larry King reminded me. ;-)