This week we look at stories of people who overcame difficult situations to make something of themselves. Today we talk about the famous poet and professor John Ciardi. 

Born to Italian immigrants in 1916, Ciardi’s father was killed in a car accident when he was three. He was bullied by neighborhood kids and his mother who raised him could neither read nor write, yet he became a well known poet and etymologist. 

Ciardi is also the author of one of my favorite poems called In Place of a Curse where he gives his stern thoughts on those in this world who play the role of victim. 

In today’s short we talk about Ciardi’s life and I read that poem and give some thoughts on how it teaches us to focus on what we can change in ourselves rather than tearing down others to make ourselves feel better. 

Source: Poetry Foundation

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