Understanding the Meaning of Nikki Grimes’s ‘Truth’ Poem

Nikki Grimes is a celebrated American poet and author whose work has earned her numerous awards, including the Coretta Scott King Award and the Children’s Literature Legacy Award. Her poem ‘Truth’ is among her most acclaimed works, and it has been praised for its powerful and poignant message.

‘Truth’ is a poem written in free verse, and it tells the story of a young person’s journey to find the truth. The speaker in the poem is searching for a way to understand the complexities of life and how to find the ‘truth’ in it all. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and symbolism, as the speaker moves through a series of trials and tribulations in order to find the truth.

The poem begins with a young person’s plea to be shown the truth of life. The speaker then moves through a series of questions and contemplations, asking “What is truth?” and “What lies beneath?” By the end of the poem, the speaker is able to come to the realization that truth is something that can only be found within oneself; it is not something that can be given by another. The poem ends with the speaker vowing to “seek the truth within”.

One of the most powerful aspects of ‘Truth’ is the way Grimes uses imagery and symbolism to tell the story. For example, the speaker is “lost in a wood” and must fight her way through a “tangle of vines” in order to reach the truth. This imagery serves to illustrate the difficulty of the journey that the speaker must take in order to find the truth. Additionally, the poem is written in free verse, which gives it a sense of openness and freedom.

Overall, ‘Truth’ is a powerful and moving poem. It conveys a message of self-discovery and resilience, while also exploring the concept of truth and how it can be found within oneself. Nikki Grimes’s use of vivid imagery and symbolism helps to bring the story to life, and the poem’s free-verse structure gives it a sense of openness and freedom. The poem is sure to leave readers with a newfound appreciation for the power of truth.



In conclusion, Nikki Grimes’s poem ‘Truth’ is a powerful and moving work that explores the concept of truth and how it can be found within oneself. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and symbolism, and its free-verse structure gives it a sense of openness and freedom. ‘Truth’ is sure to leave readers with a newfound appreciation for the power of truth.