"Anne Frank Offers a New Perspective" By Olivia Lauto

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash

In Maycomb, Alabama,

my father is a prominent lawyer defending a man whose life is on the line.

Another man in my town escapes punishment by placing the blame on someone else.

Many deaths have occurred over the years,

hurting and saving the town.

I observe injustice and voice my opinions.

The citizens of Maycomb have their own opinions.

But what about an outsider’s opinion?

I see a young woman walking into Maycomb,

while I am looking out of my bedroom window.

I can tell she also senses the gloomy cloud that lingers over the town.

As she walks by my house,

I step outside and approach her.

I introduce myself to the newcomer 

and the young woman replies, “My name is Anne Frank.”

We begin walking down the street,

as I tell her about how divided the town has become

and how I feel there is no hope for unity. 

Anne tells me that hope is never lost.

“The darkness in the world thrives on negativity.

If you are able to find the good in life,

the darkness will never prevail.”

***

Both girls are surrounded by unrest.

One sees injustice in a courtroom;

the mistreatment of certain community members.

The other feels fear and sadness over the unthinkable treatment of her people.

***

Courtrooms, segregation, injustice,

and yet I hope that an innocent man will go free.

Concentration camps, hiding, fear,

and she hopes one day to become a writer.

***

Both girls experience the darkness in the world,

and still

want to believe in a brighter future.

Olivia Lauto is 13 years old; she lives in New York City. Olivia loves to play tennis, enjoys studying history, and has a major sweet tooth. Her poem was inspired by stories of discrimination experienced by her own family, and by reading stories like Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl and To Kill a Mockingbird.