If I am... - The Chicago Poetry Center

If I am…

During our sixth session at Legal Prep, both Ms. Schiffer’s freshmen and Ms. Wysinger’s seniors wrote pieces describing their lives by using metaphors as illustrations.

Check out freshmen, Nevaaeh and Nyleah’s work and senior, Deriyona’s piece below!

Ms. Schiffer's Freshmen 5th period

If I Was Nyleah

If I am a basketball, I would wait for the pump to give me life.

The court is a vast ocean.

The hoop is a golden sun!

I am orange if I am the ball.

I am the loud noise at the buzzer.

I am no longer just leather and air.

I am victory.

I am a butterfly Nevaeh

If I am a butterfly, I represent freedom

Freedom feels like independence

Freedom smells like grass

I had to unlearn closure

I am most likely a butterfly, I represent freedom

and will fly high

higher than the sky, I may go

Limitless and free as I can be

If I am a butterfly, I am freedom

The definition of you and me

I soar to limitless heights

High, high as the sky

Ms. Wysinger's Seniors

If I become me Deriyona

I am a bird. I will rise and fly.

If I am a seed, I will grow and bloom.

If I am a river, I will keep flowing.

I used to be quiet like the night.

Now I shine bright, like the sun.

If I become strong, I won’t give up.

If I become free, I will be myself.

If I become me, I will glow.