Inspired Art Project 2017
Each poem in the Inspired Art Anthology is an original work drawn from the imagination of the 3rd-8th grade participants in America SCORES Chicago’s after school program. America SCORES uses creative expression as one of its tools to help students develop their individual voice, and then join with a team (built through soccer) to effect change in their community through service learning.
Click on the title to read the poem. Read, enjoy, and share the poetry. If a poem inspires you, leave a comment telling us about it.
- 1. This Girl
- 2. Privilege
- 3. Worst Day Ever
- 4. Not Sorry for Yesterday
- 5. Dear Birth Mother
- 6. Big Sister
- 7. Why Stars?
- 8. Dear Abuelita
- 9. Blue
- 10. Addicted
- 11. Nightmares
- 12. Stop Pushing
- 13. We Groove
- 14. My Style
- 15. A Girl
- 16. What Happens When I Daydream
- 17. My Story
- 18. Who Am I?
- 19. Inside of my Brian
- 20. Family
- 21. What is Poetry? (*Note: poem has been selected by multiple artists)
- 22. I Dream
- 23. My Monser
- 24. Courage vs. Sadness- My Weird Poem
- 25. Inspiration- Where are you?
- 26. I Am
- 27. SHOUT
- 28. Sisters
- 29. Half-Life
- 30. I miss my mom
- 31. Expectations
- 32. I Like What I See
- 33. I Wonder
- 34. Self Love / Ego Trippin’ Remix
- 35. A Boy’s Life
- 36. Brighter than Fire
- 37. A Day in the Life
- 38. Friends Forever
- 39. Teamwork Makes Us Better
- 40. Living on the Sun
- 41. The Perfect Windy City (*Note: poem has been selected by multiple artists)
1. This Girl
By Aaleila L., Grade 4 at Learn 7 Elementary
I am smart
I speak from the heart
I got that education there is no hesitation
That’s my reputation
But I always get hated on
And I don’t need to be rated by anyone
I won’t stop til I reach the top
Because the sky is the limit
and I know I can get it
Just because I’m small doesn’t mean
I easily fall because in my heart
I’m ten feet tall
I may not be loud but I never back down
And wherever I go there’s a show because
This little girl rocks this world
I’m on the top of every list
By the way hashtag#”I killed it”
2. Privilege
Camila, Yaritzy & Melany, Castellanos School
Listen to when she says
“I’m sorry we can’t afford that”
Listen to when she says
“Black lives matter”
Listen to when they say,
“Love always wins”
Listen to when he says
“I’ll protect you my little girl”
But having to hear them say
“Immigrants are rapist criminals”
Having to hear him say
“Make America great again”
Having to hear him say
“I’ve had enough of this house”
Having to hear her say
“Then just go”
Having to say
“Goodbye”
Having to live with
Gunshots right out the door
Police sirens are now our lullaby
Having to hear cries as our good morning
Having to smell smoke as our morning breeze
Having to live with less privilege
Having to see, hear and know
Society is never fair
Having to be insecure of what streets you walk by
Not being able to play outside
Having to be insecure half of the time
Having to be judged on having a perfect waist
Having to have a jaw line and six pack
What house you live in
What education you received
Where you came from
What you believe in
Society, is this what you pictured?
To live in a world where fear is everywhere
Having dictatorship over leadership
Having to put one race superior than another
Making the word
Gay, or bisexual seem like it’s a choice
When it’s not
We don’t want this type of society
We don’t wanna die as a Mexican, or black or white
We don’t wanna live as a society built up from different groups
We want to be seen as one
But who is gonna take a stand?
As separates we are weak
But as one, we shall stand
“I have a dream”
“Si se puede”
“Give me liberty or give me death”
“We did not come to fear the future”
We came to shape it
3. WORST DAY EVER
By Alex M., Grade 5, Castellanos School
I had the worst day ever.
It came as a surprise.
Things started off OK at first
but then took a straight nosedive.
I fell into the sewer.
The water was freezing cold.
Then a snake came slivering through the pipes
and tried to bite my nose.
I tried to call for help.
But my phone had zero bars.
So I escaped to up above
and almost got hit by a car.
I finally get to school.
When I notice something smelly.
As I pass everyone they turn away.
Oh no! That smell is me!
I run straight out the door.
All the way to the lake
But it’s haunted by la Llorona
This was a big mistake
I slowly make my way home.
But get lost along the way
Kind of like shopping at Target
Hey, I like to look around; what can I say?
I make it to my street and
the news is on at the corner store.
The U.S has elected Donald Trump…..
Wait- what?! You’ve gotta be kidding me,
I can’t take this anymore.
So that was the worst day ever
It can only get better from here
I’m just gonna take it a day at a time
Spreading positive rhymes everywhere
4. Not Sorry for Yesterday
By, Ashley V.
Catching sight of them
I feel pain in my chest.
The same pain when left alone-
not sorry I hide my feelings.
Promises break and
secrets hide while beauty talks behind your back
When I wrap my arms around myself I need someone to trust
a best friend
Crying, I say I’m fine
Which means I’m not okay
Which means I’m not the same girl that I was yesterday
5. Dear Birth Mother
By Camila R., 8th Grade atCastellanos School
Mistake since birth
At least that’s what I was told
You were never there for me
She was never there for me
Walked my own steps
Without you
Had to grow up
Without you
Adoption was something I was never happy to hear
Please listen to words
Depression always hits on my birthday
Looking at my Mom and Dad
And looking nothing like them
Having a simple question; Where I’m from?
As a trigger to cry
Having to be told
That she cared about you
That she loved you
She just couldn’t keep you
And knowing that isn’t true
And everyday repeating the word why
Why did you not want me?
What didn’t you keep me?
Why did you have me?
Why didn’t you love me?
But the questions walk unanswered
Being trapped in my own thoughts
like a cage
Knowing that the person I’m staring at in the mirror
is a fine image of my birth mother
That was supposed to keep me
That was supposed to love me
Raise me as her own
But not even wanna hear from me
Living in a house full of abuse
From the one person that was supposed to raise me
But instead left me
Like I wasn’t even one of her own
But I guess I should’ve known
Wait, hold up
I was just a newborn
So dear birth mother,
I hope you’re happy with what
you decided to do
I wish the best for you
I hope your kids bring you the happiness
I could never give you
The love that you deserve
Then again I would’ve done all that and more
Because you missed out on the best of little Camila
You missed my first words
You missed my first steps
You missed my first day of school
You missed my entire life right before your eyes
Not even thinking…
How’s my little girl doing?
In your eyes I was a mistake made
In your eyes I was a sin
In your eyes I was a regret
In my eyes you’re my
Dear birth mother
So, dear birth mother
Tell me what did I do wrong?
Was it the color of my skin?
My annoying cries, my laughter
That made you want to hit me
Was it the fact that I was born with a man
that wasn’t yours
I know I did cry
But that’s because you didn’t know how to take care of me
at the time
But I guess we’ll never know
Cause you left me right away
didn’t even hesitate
Signed, your worst mistake
6. Big Sister
By Cha’Rae, Grade 3 at Mason School
When I was younger
I always used to ask my mother for a sister or a brother.
But when I first got the news
that twins would be coming soon,
I cried a bucket of tears.
Then the countdown began
and I couldn’t wait to meet them.
The first time I held my brother he squirmed like a worm
and can someone please tell me why all my sister does is cry?
Still, I love to make them laugh with pirate voices.
I came up with that.
Being a big sister is the ultimate test
but my heart will always beat with love for you
inside of my chest.
I love you all the way to the moon…
P.S. I can’t wait to be a big cousin soon!
7. Why stars?
Why did you leave me when I needed you?
To make me smile, a shoulder to cry on.
You were the only person that I needed
I cried for you but it was worth nothing
Now, I live in a world without you
Sometimes I think the world orbits around me
And every time it makes a wrong turn
It hurts
Killing a little bit of me every day so I cry
Each tear turns into a star in the sky
Back on earth I look up at the stars
Shining down and washing the earth
with tears of sadness and pain
I will wait for the time and years to pass
When the world is ready to let me go
And bring me to you
8. Dear Abuelita,
By, Cristian L., Grade 5, Castellanos School
It’s me, Cristian.
I only met you once when I was five.
Do you remember me?
I remember you and I have some questions for you too.
Do you like music and do you like to dance?
How did you meet Grandpa? Was it love at first glance?
Was school hard when you were growing up?
Did you have a favorite class?
How did you feel when my Mom came to America?
Were you happy or were you sad?
What do you think that I should know
About what life is like in Mexico?
Because even though we may be far apart
I think about you all the time
you live with me, in my heart.
By, Cristian
9. Blue
By Tanari W., Grade 3, Johnson School
Blue, I see you
you are so pretty
I like your hue
I know what I will do
I will color you and wear you
Sometimes, the sky is blue
My friend’s eyes are too
Jazz and blues music makes your color woo!
I like you blue
10. Addicted
By Yaritzy, Grade 7 at Castellanos School
I’m addicted to a pen in my hand
conflicted by this bland reality from the past
behind this mask contradiction stands
and behind this lurks a lit match of ideas
laughing back at me
turning into its dreadful form of daydreams
I made these my reality but now
my thoughts laugh at me
with the insanity of unreality
my thoughts are mad at me
I’m addicted to a pen in my hand
I control my story
I hold my glory before me but
my happiness turns into cold distress
before I go back to being a mess
I’m addicted to a pen in my hand
I write my story I make my own plans
you can’t read my thoughts so you don’t understand
When my thoughts die off my addiction will end
reality and fantasy will blend
my childhood is over
the end
11. Nightmares
By Derrick S., Grade 5 at Johnson School
Night, night sleep tight says your Mama
as you fear the monsters in your closet.
You set traps with large gaps to keep safe
from unnatural wrath like you’re in the draft.
What ghosts are you scared of most?
But wait, don’t hallucinate
Cuz when you fade to black
you’re done son
it’s the end of your run.
Time to decipher the code to get to the road
where nightmares hide forgotten
alone but we still fear them when we’re near them.
Time to twist the gears
face your fears in the mirror, mirror on the wall
who’s the scariest one of all?
It’s the one that’s in your closet
12. Stop Pushing
By Daniela & Denisse, Pilsen Community Academy
Stop pushing
Every day on the field they push me
Why? Why are you pushing me?
Por favor, déjà de empujanos
Stop pushing
What did I do to you?
I want you to know, that I am not afraid of you.
If you push me, I will push back
I will push back with all of my heart
until it breaks
With all of my strength
I will put it back together
stronger than ever
I will push back.
13. We Groove
By 3rd-5th Hughes Girls Team
We groove
we move
Dancing our mission
We so hot like a pot in the kitchen
When We get in our position
People yelling
hey girls do y’all thing
We So fresh, we so clean
We Milly rock our routine
All dance came from the motherland
So we got style like Africans
It runs through our veins
Dancing helps us lose weight
We dab for abs
Like 5678
If Dance had a taste
It would taste like Hershey’s
We so sweet when We
Work work work work work
Working
Now you know we Love to dance
Now everybody clap yo hands
14. My Style
By Ja’Nya H., Grade 5 at Hughes School
The alarm goes off but I just go back to sleep.
Dreading the day ahead
but then I remember, it’s fashion week!
No choice is made for me in advance.
A black and white uniform is NOT what
I’ll be wearing for this dance.
Because my personal style
is full of color and glam,
coordinated with the sparkle in my eyes
dancing to the rhythm of the band.
My shoes are on point, my head is held high
no one can stop me from writing my name in the sky.
So drop that black and white uniform straight in the trash.
No choice is made for me in advance,
because I’m styling my life full of color and glam.
15. A Girl
By, Jennifer R., Grade 5 at Castellanos School
Girls, I have some advice from the master
You do not, do NOT!
Have time to worry about your looks
But you do have time to enjoy life
With the people you love
If you think a girl is someone
Who only does their hair, paints their nails and spends hours looking in the mirror
Guess what!? You are SO wrong
Please people understand, a girl is someone who follows her dreams
who is confident and stands up for what she believes
So don’t even think about changing who you are
Be as strong as a bull
Be as bright as a star
Together, we can get there by saying
Si se puede, si se puede
16. What Happens When I Daydream
By Josselyn M., Grade 5 at Castellanos School
One day my Dad picked me up from school
It was a long way home so my mind started to dream
Or is it called daydreaming…..
I work fast; can I get a clap for that?
I’m just kidding. Wait, did I just lose an earring?
My collection of books has come to an end.
Wanna know why? It’s because I don’t read them.
Nah, all of this is just pretend.
Still, should I show you how I make my mind bend?
Sometimes I get lazy. Should I stop that? Eh, maybe
Because me and my teammates like to be active
Aren’t we fantastic?
I may not be girly, but I’m still gonna paint my nails swirly
Oh! We’re home, this is me.
Oh no, did I just lose my key?!
17. My Story
By Justin S., Grade 5 at Johnson School
I’m a believer
As my story gets deeper my mountain gets steeper
This story is a keeper
I’m on my own, when I’m all grown
I’ll give everyone a loan
back it up to 2011 then back to 07’
when I was 1 year old my future is gold,
Alpha and Omega
The old now is Sega
Still got good roots like a rutabaga
My heart is gold; my story is bound to be told
Wham, bam get body slammed
Chi-city, north, south, east, west
Don’t take pity on me
I’m wild and free
They say I’m puny, only a nobody
Disrespect, neglect; it’s time to break down my emotions
So I can be a great man
Join my clan or be my number one fan
Do you see what I’m sayin? I ain’t playin.
Let’s start slaying
Peace
18. Who Am I?
By Karisma C., grade 8 at Spry School
Am I really Karisma Contreras,
cuz I feel like an error
Like nothing can compare to the feeling
in the air; Like nothing in my house
it’s like I don’t really care
it’s like no one’s really there for me.
So every day what I do is lay down
and think about why I need to break out
Because it feels like a prison
and I can’t figure out what I’m really missing
What do I need, do I need to be free?
No, I need someone to be there for me
But who can it be, can it be my friends or family?
Who do I need to pretend to be happy
in a place that I hate?
I wish that my life could be great
but it still feels like I’m living in crate
and I can’t help but want to escape
and why does it feel like this?
The world consecrates everything
I never want to hate
When I was younger my life was so cool
but now that I’m older life is so cruel
and I feel like I’m drowning in a pool cuz I went in without thinking
like a fool-why don’t I think of these things?
Why ain’t I happy with what my family brings?
Am I stupid to think, that one day it’ll get better?
19. Inside of my Brain
By Leonardo R. Grade 3, Pilsen School
Yo tengo muchos pensamientos en mi cabeza
There’s a special world inside of my brain
full of tiny, colorful people.
They help me with my feelings and always know what I’m thinking.
Like when we don’t have art or gym
and my mind is bored
or I’m hungry and daydream about pizza.
Yo tengo muchos sentimientos en mi corazon
There’s a special world inside of my heart
Sometimes it’s bright and happy like Christmas time
or when I win a soccer game.
Sometimes it’s calm and peaceful like
when there are no sounds in my house.
Sometimes it’s gray and sad when someone dies or people fight.
Dentro de mi hay un mundo lleno de ideas y sentimientos coloridos
There’s a special world inside of me.
20. Family
By Melany T. Grade 7, Castellanos School
Imagine yourself in a home full of hate
Your parents don’t care about you
They are always mad at you
You try to do something but you know
If you say something it might not go so well
So you just sit there
Watching your parents fight
They say they don’t’ care about anything
Anything in life not even you
They say you were supposed to be my one
My one and only
Right
But you are just the opposite of what I thought
You hear the door slam
Dad leaves
And your Mom’s bruised and purple eye
It’s hurting her like crazy
She says I’m fine, I’m fine
No
Stop saying that
You say that every time he hits you
It’s time to stop being scared of him
And do something about it
21. What is Poetry?
By, The Spry 3rd-5th Girls Team
Note: This poem has been selected by multiple artists. While you are still welcome to pick it if it is the one poem that inspires you, we encourage you to check out other poems on the list to potentially incorporate more students into the event.
poetry helps us see the sky
poetry helps us fly fly fly
poetry is the shining sun
poetry is what we become
poetry helps us relax
poetry shows us thoughts not facts
poetry is music and the silence of the stars
poetry is a turtle in its shell.
poetry is like a colorful rainbow that shines.
poetry is a dark cloud that can turn any color.
poetry makes you feel like the whole world is in the palm of your hand.
poetry keeps us wondering who we are
poetry is love, music, waves, air
poetry is watching people
poetry is leaves falling from the trees
poetry shows us thoughts not facts
poetry helps us to relax
poetry is what we become
poetry is the shining sun
poetry helps us fly fly fly
poetry helps us see the sky
22. I Dream
By, Derrick S. 4th grade Johnson School
I dream of a world that is violence free
Kids shouldn’t be shot and killed like Tyshawn Lee
Did you know, he was the same age as me?
I don’t understand.
Why is it getting worse?
I don’t believe we’re cursed.
Something must be missing.
Friendship, partnership, respect for life-
It’s what makes us human
and motivates us to
say NO to violence
and yes to love.
If you see someone upset, give them a hug
I think people are so used to violence,
they forgot how to love.
We gotta re-program our hearts and minds
Time for a factory reset
For all of mankind
The key to unlocking peace
is inside of you and me
Together, let’s make a world
That is violence free
23. My Monster
By Clinton P. 5th grade at Johnson School
I told my monster to clean my room
He told me to grab a broom
I told my monster to do my chores
He said he wasn’t mine anymore
I told my monster to behave
He told me-No way!
I told my monster to rake the leaves.
He threatened to release the bees!
I told my monster to be nice.
He told me to get lost- twice!
I told my monster to stay put
He turned around and ran off on foot.
I told my monster to stay in school
But he dropped out, actin like a fool
I told my monster he had to change
Then he disappeared-isn’t that strange?
24. Courage vs. Sadness- My Weird Poem
By Mya R. 5th grade at Eli Whitney School
They say I’m weird, because I make this face
And sometimes, I stare off into space
This place makes me feel so alone
I can’t breathe because on my chest
Pebbles of sadness grow into stones
So I turn the words I feel into songs
I have magic, I am strong
I can be amazing
I’m a ruby blazing
Words sing my truth
The story of my youth
They say I’m bossy but I’m just misunderstood
It doesn’t mean my ideas aren’t good
What’s normal for me may be different from you
But I have magic, there’s nothing I can’t do
I can be amazing
I’m a ruby blazing
Courage is my crown
No one can hold me down
Courage is my crown
No one can hold me down
25. Inspiration-Where are you?
By Carlos P., grade 5 at Plamondon School
It’s so dark I feel like the sun is collapsing.
I need a flashlight.
In the center of the room I find a book and open it.
But the pages are all blank.
I walk to the board, but there are no markers
An empty picture frame stares at me from the corner.
I try to find the door but the flashlight goes out.
Nobody knows where I am.
What remains, is a question.
Is inspiration dead?
Did we kill it or is it just sleeping on a soft pillow, dreamless?
Can we wake it up with new poems and books?
Can we breathe life into it with stories of our lives?
Can we rebuild it from the ground up if it’s already buried?
Can we restart its heart with love and joy?
Yes, we can. Si se puede.
Inspiration lives everywhere, it’s all around us
so it’s never really dead.
26. I Am
By Cymone P. 4th grade at Learn 7 Charter
People say I’m a little girl
But I am the girl who stands up for the world
I am the girl who screams and shouts
I am the girl people write about
I am the girl you must trust
Unlike others they just fuss
I am passionate in my brain
My life built the wall of fame
Oh, and I got game
For me expectations are not the same
I am honest and the best
So you 4th floor haters will have no rest
From my flow, cuz it’s not slow
I’m on turbo
Now you know how I feel
This little girl is a big deal
I am super, interesting
Turned up to 100 degrees
That’s why everybody
Wants to be like me
Across my neighborhood and the seven seas
I’m going places to achieve my dreams
27. SHOUT
By Julissa 5th grade at Learn 7 Charter
Shhhhhhh
I’m gonna shout
I know I’m amazing
That makes me stand out
I can shout- I’m so loud
I’m like a gorilla
I can make a lion tap out
When I shout
Shooting stars soaring, sing songs soundly
Because I shout loudly
I am astounding, why don’t you just bow for me
If I look quiet, don’t mind me
Inside I’m not crying
I’m screaming inside my brain
Shouting back- I am not ashamed
Shhhhhhhhhh
I’m gonna shout
Stomping my stellar story inside out
I have no doubts, I won’t turn down
I’m gonna shout
28. Sisters
By Nakiyah W. 3rd grade at Learn 7 Charter
We are sisters
We don’t fall
We move forward
We play ball
We are lions
on the field
Roaring loud
We never yield
The game won’t always
Go your way
Just brush it off
You’ll be OK
We don’t quit
We don’t fight
We are a team
Oh yeah, that’s right
Our grades are up
We are in school
We do our best
To keep it cool
We like to laugh
But sometimes cry
We set high goals
Cuz we can fly
So don’t be shy
And don’t be mad
We have fun
That makes us glad
So enjoy yourself
The game is real
Let’s go warriors and
Hit that field
29. Half-Life
By Justin S. 4th grade at Johnson School
You gotta use your core
To be king of the floor
Go active-do more
Be anything-try to think
Outside of the box
You could study rocks, stop terror
Break the locks on hate
Tick, tock-tick, tock
time to make the violence stop
Build bonds-aren’t you fond of life?
Change your generation using dedication
It’s in my DNA- time to play YOUR part
Don’t break your Mama’s heart
Acting like a fool, flunking out of school
I’m in the 4th grade, already getting paid
Making it rain A’s
So stand with me and take the pledge
Don’t let bad choices push you off the edge
30. I Miss my Mom
By the Whittier 3rd-5th Girls Team
I miss my mom,
I feel like I don’t belong.
You make me mad,
I am feeling so sad.
You make mean, mean faces,
as I am tying my laces.
Your hurt me, like those words spoken by racists.
This makes no sense.
I miss my mom,
I feel, like I don’t belong.
Your words confuse me.
You are tearing me down.
Smiley faces, turned to frowns
This makes no sense.
Why do you do these things?
You are hurting my feelings.
I miss my mom,
She makes me believe that I belong.
31. Expectations
By Andres R., America SCORES alumni from Whitney Young
Expectations are goals
Set for us to be smart and bold
To grow up in a house made of gold
Every time we meet them
Expectations grow
You better reach them or so we’re told
If you don’t you’re gonna feel the wrath of your parents
It’ll be like a blood bath
Get bad grades, that’s a bunch of rif-raf
How did you get a big fat F in math?
The consequences can be deadly
The penalty is more than heavy
Those grades are uglier than Ugly Betty
Better get those grades up nice and steady
Or watch the house come crashing down
In your room, you’ll be bound
with a ball and chain, stuck to the ground
You want that? Well then keep fooling around
You see expectations set are the key to success
We set them too low, that’s why the world’s a mess
Hold expectations off to the side
Bad grades at the beginning? Just let it slide
We’ll do better; We’ll do our duty to the letter
Just finish school, Just pass that test
It’s not enough, gotta keep doing better than your best
My parents push me, for that I feel blessed
Cuz my family and friends, I have to impress
My parents are the best, for that I salute you
For pushing me and all you helped me through
There’s no way to thank you but I’ll try my best
Thank you for helping me be
better than the rest
32. I Like What I See
By, Ja’Nya T. 4th grade at Hughes School
I like the changes I see in me
I’m getting taller every day
My heart and mind are in control of what I say
I can stay focused on the task at hand
And know it’s better to say please
Than to give a demand
I’m faster on the soccer field
And know you can be kind
And still be keepin’ it real
There’s a lot that I want to change in the world
So I’m going to keep on being the very best me
A smart, athletic, thoughtful, creative, brave girl
33. I Wonder
By Lizette S. 5th grade at Castellanos School
Sometimes I wonder what the world would be like without alarm clocks.
Would everyone be late all the time, but happier because they got more sleep?
Sometimes I wonder if the food we eat for lunch is actually recycled cardboard.
I’m all for “going green” but they’ve taken it too far
Sometimes I wonder what teachers do on the weekend
I hope they party non-stop, so they can be in a better mood on Monday
Sometimes I wonder what the world would be like if we rode dinosaurs to school.
Would a Brontosaurus be like a mini-van and a T-Rex a Bugatti?
Sometimes I wonder why it’s called an Etch-a-Sketch if you can only make squares.
Sometimes I wonder why people dress their animals up like other animals.
Bunny ears are not a good look for dogs.
Sometimes I wonder if my mind will ever stop wondering.
Will I still be me, if my mind isn’t free?
34. SELF LOVE/ego trippin remix
By The 3rd-5th Hughes Girls Team
I’m pretty like
Hello kitty
Like flowers kiss me
My skin is like the chocolate
Reese sunset and sand
A brown crayon in my Hand
It’s soft like cotton and warm covers
I get it from my mother
My smile can brighten your day
Light up a room, when I come your way
Of course people stare
My mind is tough and strong
And just like my hair
I call it, self love
They say I’m ego tripping, but I don’t care
I was born in Egypt
I walked to the past and designed a tradition so good, they made me Queen
I designed pearls with my eyes, so I wouldn’t cry,
I am victorious,
I sat on the clouds of heaven drinking a geyser with an angel,
I got hot and drank a wave from the Indian Ocean to cool my thirst,
I am the oldest daughter of Nefertiti, my tears created hurricanes,
I am a powerful woman!
I looked at the Pangea and erupted a volcano,
I am a road runner, so swift you can’t catch me,
my kiss flows ever on,
I turned into gold and I’m still worth millions,
I’m so blessed, so strong, so creative,
I cannot be understood
except by anyone I give permission,
I call it, self love
But they say I’m ego trippin
35. A Boy’s Life
By The Plamondon 3rd-5th Boys Team
A boy’s life can be rough
when they try to be tough
but we stick together
through thick and thin
friends forever
and teammates till the end
We like to go to school
and we follow the rules
for us gaming is pretty fun
especially Temple Run!
All in all soccer is the best
because we get to score
on the field floor!
Working and sticking together
all for one and one for all
persevering through it all!
36. Brighter than Fire
By Nathan G., 4th grade at Eli Whitney School
Some day’s life’s hard
and stabs deeper than a knife
When I see people fight, I just want to close my eyes
But when I’m with my team, they give me sight
Now I see everyone admire,
at first just a spark but together we’re on fire
At first I learned by watching others play
Dribble, pass, score!
As a team we can always win the day
Coach is the engine that powers our team
With dedication, inspiration and personality
Some days life’s hard and stabs deeper than a knife
But when I’m with my team
Everything feels alright
37. A Day in the Life
By The Castellanos Girls All-Star Team
Look at this
Can you believe what she just said?!
Screen-shot, click
Circulate the evidence, get the squad on board
Instigators have no loyalty
LOOK UP
A day in the life of, love triangles shaped like octagons
Jessica told Sammy that Ricky told Noel that he doesn’t know who he likes
If you date your best friend’s ex, friend or primo that makes you a
HO-LY crap!
What are those??
If it’s not Nike, Converse or Jordan’s, they’ve gotta go
Ugghhhhh, I’ve got low battery on my phone!
LOOK UP
A day in the life of….Hair- has got to be straight
and at least shoulder length
Close your legs
Cover yourself
That skirt is too short
That shirt is too tight
You’ll distract the boys
Can someone PLEASE tell me why that’s my problem?!
If you think I’m pretty, like this
If you think I’m ugly, like this
No need to write a bio, we’ve seen all your photos
Apparently there’s a right and wrong way to be a girl
Look Up
I wish I was in 3rd grade again when everything was awesome
Remember when….
we all wanted to be Hannah Montana
before puberty hit like a wrecking ball
Remember when…..
No one had facebook, or instagram or snapchat
Remember when….
You went to birthday parties and actually talked to your friends
Instead of posting photos all night on instagram
Remember when…..
Feeling happy was easy?
Look Up
Life is happening-
right in front of you
Look Up
You are the mirror and the reflection
Celebrate the beauty inside of you
Look Up
Don’t miss out on the opportunity today to
Laugh with a friend, smile at a stranger, or tell someone, “I Love You”
Because tomorrow is never promised
Look Up
38. Friends Forever
By The Pilsen 3rd-5th Girls Team
Together we’re better, friends forever
My friend is as sweet as pie
Friends make you laugh until you die
Jokes and all that will make you fall
Together we’re better, friends forever
Friendship is as sweet as candy
My friends are like sisters to me
Friends stick together like a team
Together we’re better, friends forever
My friends are as wild as animals
Funny girls remind me of nutty squirrels
Funny and punny we are all so sunny
Together we’re better, friends forever
39. Teamwork Makes Us Better
By Mason 3rd – 5th grade Boys Team
Practice makes me get better.
Learning to play the game right is what matters.
On and off the field we go hard.
Being good student/athletes is how we do our part.
TEAMWORK
Working hard together so we can learn more
Passing the ball so our team can score.
We get excited when the team and fans scream out MAVERICKS!
It helps us all strengthen our kicks.
TEAMWORK
We score in the classroom because that matters alot too.
With bad behavior and bad grades we’d all have to Boo!
Teachers work hard, and hard work pays.
Ooh report card time, give us those A’s
TEAMWORK
It’s bigger than winning championships
All Mason teams show great sportsmanship
Mavericks earn respect and good grades.
Teamwork makes us better, we’ve got it made.
40. Living on the Sun
By Cristian C., grade 5 at Eli Whitney School
Dear people of earth,
I’m living on the sun
I’m burning!
I’m going crazy!
I’m living on the sun
My house is on fire
I’m working everyday
To rebuild my house
I’ll probably die
Living on the sun is like standing on a thousand flames
for five hundred hours
It’s like working like an ant for two whole years
Non-stop!
Trust me you don’t want to live with me
Trust me
Call the fire department
Call them so they can
Help me!
But how am I going to send this letter?
It’s on fire right now!
41. The Perfect Windy City
By Desiree G., 5th grade at Pilsen Academy
Note: This poem has been selected by multiple artists. While you are still welcome to pick it if it is the one poem that inspires you, we encourage you to check out other poems on the list to potentially incorporate more students into the event.
First, buy the materials;
a drop of trees,
the fresh smell of kindness,
cool parks,
a sprinkle of stars,
a farm of gummy animals
Next, chop the sadness,
Violence and bad people away
They make our sky gray
Add more and more and more and more sugary people
Now don’t forget more crime-free streets
clean the dirty streets
sweep crumbs away
Let people of all kinds smell the perfect windy, pretty city
Inspired Art Chicago 
After reading all the poems, there were a few that I had some ideas for. But, I have to say that the poem “light” reminded me of a persian celebration called “Yalda”.On Yalda festival, Iranians celebrate the arrival of winter, the renewal of the sun and the victory of light over darkness. My friends and I celebrate this event every year. It is a tradition to gather around and read poems of a famous persian poet, Hafez. I found this poem very interesting because it made me feel like it was written specifically for this festival. The part talking about how light wins over dark in the poem is exacly what Iranians celebrate every year on 21st of December.