Nicole Wong
Maurice A. Deane School of Law, Class of 2022
Winner, Inauguration Student Poetry Contest
Nicole Wong is a third-year student at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. She grew up in the New York City foster care system, living with several diverse families. She holds a BA in Political Science from Queens College and a Master of Science in Teaching from Fordham University. She is currently finishing her last year of law school at Hofstra University.
FORWARD
The revelation of this genesis
Is akin to the artless innocence
Of rain falling over a well worn ground.
They formed the foundation; we formed a sound.
The sound of morning where mercies are new,
And of thanking the past for seeds it grew.
We roar as rushing waters ‘round a bend,
Changing sediment for sentiment’s mend.
We’ll prune, nurture, and edify the soil
(So tomorrow’s fruit will prize today’s toil),
Show them how to put their hands to the plow,
And see success exist beyond the now.
Use tools that worked for ye old pioneers
And pass them along for the coming years.
It takes a village — Nay, generations.
Progress requires steadfast veneration.
But, blind devotion? No, we must evolve.
A problem persists with no resolve to solve.
Narrow paths keep us steady and on course,
But narrow minds only produce remorse.
All we have to lose is the senseless weight
Our shoulders bore until almost too late.
Thank who you’ll thank for open eyes and grace
To not fear change but run to its embrace.
Here and now, welcome opportunity.
Overcome the pause of adversity.
Flow and carve the needed capacity
So we can refine our humanity.
Same book, different page. Far from perfect.
Risky it may be but move toward it.
All the sowed trials will reap a reward.
Forward.