‘Brown as in the bark on a wise old oak tree’: Self Portrait Poems

After some drawing and a reading of Billy Collins ‘ whimsical poem, ‘Instructions to the Artist’, students crafted their own Self-Portrait poems. These poems showcase the beauty and honesty of self-portrait poetry

“Self-portrait poems stand out as a common and inspiring poetic exercise. The self-portrait poem embodies many of the best aspects of the overall genre: imagery, authenticity, and a strong sense of personal voice. In addition to their poetic value, self-portrait poems can also hold deep personal meaning, helping poets connect with themselves and deepen feelings of self -love. .”-Read Poetry.com 

 

Ms. Collins, 7th Grade

How to Draw by Walter G.

Start with a nice round head-round as a clock

Then put 2 eyes on the top that should look like fried eggs

After that, add a tiny smirk as small as an ant

With a nose as sharp as the mountains of the Himalayas

My hair should be as curly as a dog’s fur and with a signature in it.

I should only be with black outlines like a clock’s hands, and no other color

I  should have no eyebrows

My body should be simple, but not like a stick man

 I want my hands to be 3 fingered like Dogman

Lastly, I want  mountains and a river in the background

Instructions to the Artist by Anthony A.

My eyes should be a baseball that is as small as a round piece of gum.

The background should be mountains with snow caps and flowers 

Also, on the mountain, there are a bunch of kangaroos playing tag 

The canvas is as big as a classroom window

 My expression is a big smile on my face

 

The color of the kangaroos should be green

My signature is each strand of hair

 

Mrs. McClain, 7th Grade, Group 1

How I Should Be Painted by Jack L.

My eyes should be brown because my eyes are brown

In the background should be my basement because i spend a lot of time down there

The size of my canvas should be like any size i am not that picky, its ok 

I want to appear tall because i like being tall 

I also want jake to be in it because jake is tuff

And i also want yaseen because he is tuff and i like him 

I also want ben because he is my day one and he is chill

And i want dylan  because he is tuff and i like him

And i also want myles because he is tall and natulant 

Also i shall request henry because he is my goat 

And if space in on the canvas then i shall request my cats because they are cute and fluffy and fat  

 

Instructions to the Other Me by Lily J.

The head should be round

Like a pizza before it’s cut

No need for a point or a slant

Make it round but not perfect

Lopsided and All over

But keep it on the canvas

The hair is to the shoulders

Keep it down, not up

Straight down, nothing more

 

The eyes can just be circles

A big pupil brown like mud

And for the mouth make me happy

Don’t make the smile too wide

It might look fake

 

Keep the body simple

Like a stick, keep it tall

Two arms, two legs

 

Make a background like a home

Some paintings on the walls

A couch to sit in when I’m tired

Add my dog, he’s tiny but big

You can’t miss him!

 

Ms. McClain, 7th Grade, Group Two

Untitled by Rosalaia F.B.

My eyes should be a mix of blue on the outside and green on the inside like a forest with a blue sky above

The background should be a beautiful beach in chicago at night

The size of the canvas should be as big as a big blue crystal clear ocean

My hair should be long like a never-ending river

My expression should be a subtle smile, but not one too big

My clothes should be my comfy navy hoodie from my mom that i wear too much

My lips are a pale shade of pink like a flamingo

My teeth shouldn’t be showing much, just my two little ones that stick out

My hair color is a once-bright blonde that has now turned into the color of fresh cookies or baked bread.

 

My...Should Be As... by Henry S. A.

My eyes should be the size of a size 5 soccer ball

My background should be the ocean with a lighthouse and dolphins swimming and playing in the background. My size of the canvas should be really small so you can capture the details. My hair should be really long so I can use it as a cape. My expressions should be as clear as day. My ears should be as big as a boulder. My legs should be as skinny as a toothpick. My house should be as big as an island. My school should be as big as a country like the United States. My shoes should be as big and cool-looking as a rocket ship

 

Mrs. McClain, 8th Grade, Group Three

Me by Riley D. D.

My eyes should be big and brown like a chocolate fountain

The background as blue as the sky but not the lake, almost looking fake.

The size of the canvas long like an alligator but the width of a toothpick.

My smile as big as the universe and the face of a child on christmas day

My shirt navy blue like the milky way shining as bright as every day

My hair thick like a giant diary with neverending pages.

My head like a building a square your shirt could wear.

My nose slanted with a swoop on the end like the drop on a rollercoaster.

My nails like shark teeth sharp and long

My shoes as small as a football that fits in your hand.

 

How to Draw Me by Isabella G.

My eyes should be brown,

But not Brown as in dirt.

Brown as in the bark on a wise old oak tree