10-Year-Old’s ‘Reverse Poem’ About Dyslexia Stuns Teacher and the Internet With Its Moving Message

(Illustration-Shutterstock)

A poem about dyslexia written by a 10-year-old student has gone viral, inspiring millions with its imaginative construction and powerful message.

Teacher Jane Broadis, who teaches sixth grade at Christ Church Chorleywood Church of England School in Watford, was so moved by her student’s creative effort that she shared the poem on Twitter. It’s no ordinary poem but a “reverse poem,” which reads both forwards and backwards, with a surprising message.

On Feb. 27, 2019, Jane posted on Twitter, “Today in Y6 we looked at poems that could be read forwards & backwards. I was stunned by this one written by one of my 10 year olds.”

“Please share,” Jane implored to others on Twitter. “I would love her work to be appreciated further afield. I wonder if it could even find a publisher?”

The first line of the poem, titled “Dyslexia,” forlornly begins “I am stupid,” yet its downtrodden message transforms unexpectedly when read in reverse.

The poem reads:

I am stupid Nobody would ever say I have a talent for words I was meant to be great That is wrong I am a failure Nobody could ever convince me to think that I can make it in life

Illustration - Shutterstock | Aliona Rondeau

Turned on its head, the poem tells an entirely different story:

I can make it in life Nobody could ever convince me to think that I am a failure That is wrong I was meant to be great I have a talent for words Nobody would ever say I am stupid

The poem’s anonymous author, known only by her initials, “A.O.,” is not dyslexic herself. “She’s just a sensitive child and that’s the theme she chose,” Jane explained, speaking to Today. “I’ve spoken about dyslexia. It’s just something she tuned into.”

“We were filling time. It wasn’t even part of a lesson,” the teacher revealed, explaining that the impromptu poetry session was nonetheless inspired by American teenager Chanie Gorkin’s reverse poem “Worst Day Ever?” written in 2015.

Jane was inundated with Twitter comments from moved, grateful, and compassionate readers, many of whom shared their own stories of growing up dyslexic and the hardships of delayed diagnosis.

“Wonderful! I was called stupid by my year 6 teacher,” one reader shared, “3 years later, diagnosed with dyslexia. We just see things others can not.”

“What great work! Well done,” added another. “When you are a famous author, you can look back on this day, and well done Ms. Broadis for taking the time to share.”

On March 4, Jane, who has been a teacher for 27 years, added a grateful comment to the Twitter thread. “I am so pleased for my young poet and that the tweet is helping to shine a light on dyslexia,” Jane wrote, “promoting discussion about the challenges faced by dyslexics and encouraging empathy.”

“If more support is given to learners then this is a good thing,” she added.

People with dyslexia have trouble matching visual letters and words with the sounds they create, as per The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. Dyslexic children, teens, and adults may struggle with spelling, reading fluency, and learning foreign languages.

Yet these difficulties, the experts maintain, have absolutely no bearing upon a dyslexic person’s overall intelligence.

As netizens and news media around the globe caught wind of the 10-year-old student’s innovative “reverse poem,” Jane’s wish of finding her young poet a publisher came to fruition. On May 14, 2019, Jane took to Twitter once more.

“Absolutely delighted that Year 6 poet AO, author of the reverse poem ‘Dyslexia,’ will have her second reverse poem published in the Fly on the Wall Poetry anthology, Planet in Peril, this autumn,” Jane wrote. The only way is up for the aspiring creative!

“Words are so powerful. They can really make a difference,” Jane reflected, speaking to Today. “Encourage children that they have a voice.”