'when there's more in the world?:' Self Portrait Poems

‘when there’s more in the world?:’ Self Portrait Poems

After reading student poet Noor S.’s poem ‘Self Portrait with my Loose Hijab,’ students wrote self-portrait poems focusing on one aspect of themselves!

Self-Portrait with my loose hijab
By Noora S.
Trying to fix my hijab. I hear people scream
your hair is SHOWING! Even my mother
Screams at me but I don’t listen.
I wish to shout back at them but won’t
Because I like to respect others even
If they don’t respect me. I feel my hair
sticking out but it’s hard to keep the
hair in sometimes.I get confused
on why people care.

Lesson Note: “Getting the concept that there’s no right or wrong to this [creation], that it’s about the process, not the product, that art is wonderful no matter what it looks like because whatever the child creates or says about the creation is correct…can often be a new concept, especially in a formal education setting.” from Your Brain on Art, How The Arts Transform Us, 2023, Ross and Magsamen

Ms. Romano 7th Grade

Self Portrait with Birthday Jakela L.

I have a birthmark, and whenever
someone sees it, they always
coming in my face, trying to figure
out what it is.

My reaction is Mad but confused
at the same time cause it would be
random.

Mrs. Turner 6th Grade

Self Portrait with Shoes Tahari

When I wear my shoes people stare
and look
And I say to them, where they’re from
but then I wonder why do you want
these shoes?

Self Portrait with Shoes Jeremiah

When I wear my shoes people stare and look
And I say to them, I got these shoes from Snipes
But then I wonder why do you want these shoes
exactly when there’s more in the world?

Ms. Romano 7th Grade

Self Portrait with Shoes Mairre R.

When I wear these shoes, people react to them.
Cute wear you go them from, and I say to them thank
you and tell them where they’re from, but then I wonder…

Mrs. Turner 6th Grade

Self Portrait with Running Shoes Jack T.

I come to school with a
new pair of shoes.

A kid walks up and asks, “Why are you
wearing those shoes?”
“Cuz I can. Do you have a problem?”
Then I think to myself, “Why AM I wearing these shoes?”

Self-Portraits with Bracelets Aalayah

When I wear my bracelets people
react by saying I like your bracelet
where you get it from and I say
to them thank you I tell them where I got
it from then they ask if they can
wear it and I tell them nope. After
they say why you got a lot more just one
No they say why not
they ask you are never going to
give it back so you not getting it.