I am the happy one, who likes to joke around.

I am the hyper, crazy one, who might jump off a couch.

I am the defiant one, who would never stand down.

I am the one with the scars and their secrets.

 

I am the messed up one, who thinks weird.

I am the helpless one, who can’t change a thing about anything.

I am the hurt one, but much more hurt on the inside.

I am the one with the scars, and their angry message is to fall and not get up.

 

I am the strong one, who is determined to do what I want with no obstacles.

I am the dreamer, who imagines a different life, imagines a time when it was equal.

 

I am the childlike one, who remembers the days I used to ride my bike.

I am the one with the scars, but they are not me,

And one day their meaning will be nothing.

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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 World in Me 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.