‘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

by 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

by 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

by 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

by 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

by 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

by 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.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Writing poetry makes me feel like I can see myself, like I can see my reflection, but not in a mirror, in the world. I write and I know I can be reflected.”
-Oscar S.

“Writing poetry makes me feel free.”
-Buenda D.

“Writing poetry is like your best friend.”
-Jessica M.