"This poem was written near the end of my recovery from a severe depression. I had finally reached a point in my life where I could differentiate between pessimism and optimism. Up until then my poetry tended to be very dark, and emotionally troubling. So I guess you can say that this poem was very well needed. It actually helped bring my depression to a close."

                                                                          Kai Trotman 19-YCS Star Program

Who's to say I got what I deserved,

Or that my prayers were or were not heard,

Who's to say I will never make it,

Or my generation will never fit,

Who's to say god is definitely a man,

Or someone should always take a stand,

Who's to say my life only has a beginning and an end,

Or determine I can have only one best friend,

Who's to say in troubled times I cannot smile,

Or say I cannot make it the whole mile,

Who's to say my happiness can not last,

Or my future is always determined by my past,

Who's to say my heartbreak will always end in pain,

Or the rainbow can only appear after the rain,

Who's to say my laughter has to come with a reason,

Or say work and responsibility can not be fun,

Who's to say my family is only tied with blood,

Or goodbye can not ever end in good,

Who's to say society is always right,

Or seeing can only come with having sight,

Who's to say my beauty is confined to what you see,

Who's to say this poem questions anyone else but ME.

                                                            Written by Kai Trotman 1/16/13