The Return

“THE RETURN” Poem & Lyrics by: Joann Chan -- Lyrics: Sometimes I felt unsettled, uneased. Haters say things that burns But I learned to create a new life for me To support my twist and turns! I am the center of my life I approve of myself and all that I see I now express myself and I am free. I can return and belong to me! Now I know how to strengthen my joy and peace I restore my spirit in His Almighty, Whom I want to please! I can return and belong to me! I can return and belong to me! I can return and belong to me! -- This poem was created during Educational Alliance’s Poetry in Music workshop series with older New Yorkers in celebration of National Poetry Month. It was later transformed into a song using AI (Suno), with the original text set to music and the artist shaping the musical style to reflect the poem’s emotional tone. This process explored new creative tools and technologies. The piece was featured in the annual CelebratEArts festival, a month-long May exhibition honoring Older Americans Month. The festival celebrates creativity, expression, and connection through the arts. The 2026 theme, "The Power of Belonging," invited reflection on lived experience, the creative process, and the stories that connect us. Poetry is Music was facilitated by Xiomara A. Maldonado. The Artistic Director for CelebratEArts is Cory Michael Herman. Learn more about CelebratEArts at: 14streety.org/celebratearts #PoetryInMusic #MusicWithAI #CelebratEArts