If I were magic

I would use it for good

I would heal people’s wounds

I would bring fish and people back to life

I would make rotten things good again

I would make hair grow faster

Or shorter if that is what people want

I would make my Grandma younger

I would make my teacher famous

I would make my best friend famous.

This poem is published in The Light in My World, a compilation of original poetry written by young people ages 5 – 12 who stayed with their families in housing at Solid Ground’s Broadview Emergency Shelter & Transitional Housing for women and children. The young authors who contributed to The Light in My World are not identified by their real names, and some details have been changed to protect the privacy and confidentiality of them and their families. The authors retain copyrights on their individual works.