Dedicated to my sister

I feel old when I can’t find something important,
Like when I forget where my phone is

I feel new when I can make good deals with my mom
Like “if we go outside for a little, I’ll let you play videos on my phone”

I feel old when my problems are the same
Like getting evicted all the time, same old problem

I feel new when I learn more about life,
I learned a tremendous amount by observing relationships,
I learned I should always take things slow

I feel old when I’m used for the same things,
Like helping people

I feel new when I have new purposes in life,
Like getting the relationship with my dad back

To be new is impossible when I’m at school
Trying to have as many friends as possible

To be new is possible when I am helping my mom

I will be new when I have a good friendship with everyone.

This poem is published in The World in Me, a compilation of original poetry written by young people ages 8 – 17 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.