When I was young I used to wish to be a princess

Today I wish the world would be a better place to live

Every day I wish people would understand other people

My wish is the color of purple

It is the sound of elephants stampeding through some sand

My wish feels like an empty stomach

My wish is always in my head

My wish is never going to happen

My wish is to start the world again

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.