Josie Whitehead’s Poems
You're a lucky teenager if you have strength of conviction.
Pulled this way and that by peer pressure, and with parents too busy
with their own lives to see the struggle you're having, perhaps this
poem will show you that "It's so cool to say "No"."
It would be interesting to have a teenage poem about the struggle to
say "No" - and, hopefully, your poem could inspire others.
By Josie Whitehead
When you know in your heart that you want to say “No”
And instead your mouth opens and you say the word “Yes”.
When your “yes” leads you on to to a life full of woe
With an ache in your heart and a lifetime’s regrets.
When you know saying “yes” makes you feel it is wrong –
Do what is right – take no heed of the rest.
Saying “No” shows the world that inside you are strong
You may find other people are really impressed.
You don’t have to feel you must go with the crowd
It’s not smart to let others just lead you along
Saying “No” may be hard, but inside you’ll feel proud
Your friends will see you as the one who is strong.
Don’t “fit in” with the ones who lead others astray
Stand out from the pack as the one they admire.
Saying “No” is quite cool, - yes it’s more than Okay –
You’re showing the world your true inner fire.
Copyright 2006