When I Rise Up - The Chicago Poetry Center

When I Rise Up

This week MLK Academy 6th, 7th, and 8th students explored poetry all about “rising up,” against social injustice. When hearing the phrase “rise up” many images came to students’ minds such as clouds, birds, trees, protests, and communities uniting. Together we read and discussed the poem “When I Rise Up,” by playwright and poet Georgia Douglas Johnson. In her poem Johnson describes how she “rises up” against the obstacles in her life. I beat my wings upon the air/Or tranquil lie/ Surge after surge of potent strength. Like a bird in the sky Johnson soars above negativity, the freedom of having wings gives her a sense of serenity and peace.

Inspired by Georgia Douglas Johnson, students wrote poems describing the unique ways they can “rise up” against the social injustices in their community. Please enjoy these published poems.

MLK Academy

When London Rises Up London

When I rise up I look to the past.
When I rise up I remember the lives lost to police brutality.
When I rise up I remember the ones who haven’t got justice for their deaths.
When I rise up I think of friends and family.
When I rise up I think of birds flying for the first time.
When I rise up I’m grateful for everything.
When I rise up I see new faces.
When I rise up world hunger and homelessness will be a thing of the past.

I'll Rise Like Superman Stephon

When I rise up I’ll rise like a balloon.
When I rise up I’ll rise like a wave.
When I rise up I’ll rise up in spite of the pain.
When I rise up I’ll rise like the day.
When I rise up I’ll rise up like the sun.
When I rise up there will be no more racism.
When I rise up I’ll rise up like a plane.
When I rise up I soar through the skies
When I rise up I touch the clouds.
When I rise up I’ll rise like superman.