Class Poetry: "The World Doesn't Understand"

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I'm not so sure either
but I am very eager
to learn before easter

JP, age 16

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Case I've been throuth the fun to Death
to Love and regret now Im just
prayen that we will be set free
but never surender cause thats our test
we can fight through this or run away
too but finnally it will depend on you.

DH, age 13

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I see the way you see me.
I don't want them to see these in me,
The Hurt the Anger, and the Sorrow,
Which won't make me last to live for tomorrow,
But I fight through the pain, each day and night
Hoping that theres light even in the darkness of night.

RS, age 15

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Cant you see the pain
The pain inside of me
I only show when Im alone
Im like a ghost
I share no emotion
Maybe I need some potion
to cure the pain deeply inside me

CB, age 12

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
My bubbles are going to burst, And
then you will see the worst, so much
anger bottled up, I think I might throw up,
only I can do what's right, Boy that will
be my might, Wherever I chose to go,
My family will allways know, I love them
with all my heart, no matter wat the
dart

JH, age 16

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
But what is real?
Do I really see what is going on inside me,
Under the happiness, & positive me
This world we live in is a hell hole, which we so hold dear
Through out all mistakes, and hurt on others.
We'll always look at our family, even our brothers
Whether it be blood, or bond
There will always be haterd in this world,
But hopefully soon, it will all be gone.

age 15

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
for I am to big
theres jus too much inside me,
and you can take that how you want

LW, age 17

--------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
This was never planned
all I wanted was to be free
and really I must apoligize
for those I hurt inside
in all those attempted tries.

MP, age 16

Class Poetry: "Take a Look and Tell Me"

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see love I see hate
I see regrets for being in here
But just bare back my peers
cause we'll keep on fighten
to the end and even if we
Don't succed there wont be
a need cause we are O/A

in the world

DH, age 13


-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see a man,
Growing inside of me.
What do you see?
You see a man doing the wrong thing.
I see me learning from this horrible thing
that's burns the insides of me
A fire that burns through everything within me
consuming things that I desperately need
in life.

RS, age 15

----------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see me
sitting under a tree
dreaming
and bieng free
hopfully

CB, age 12

----------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see a Boy who is going
the wrong way, now he is a stray,
One way or a nother He sets himself
up to fail, Its like hes getting hammered
by a nail, When will he learn, Then He
will earn, the trust that must be made
He acts like its a sherade.  Now Hes all
alone, people want to know, Where did
he go wrong, everyone just playe along.

JH, age 16

-----------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I Read What You Express,
What you think and how you feel.
I can see that you think I am so scared,
When really its you with the relentless fear.
You hold everything in, like a bottle with a cap
Your waiting to explode, over some stupid little crap

age 15

------------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

a young kid filled with glee,
who has no respect dont you see?
but if you are on my side
everything will be alright
for I can love
but I have lost
so be considerate when you talk

LW, age 17

-------------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

The long lost little girl inside
who always tried and tried
to find some love and acceptance
from people who never meant it.
She hurt so much she hurt so bad
But a person who cared was dad
He brought love to her face and joy to her eyes
and dried up every tear she cried.
They had a deep dark secret
I'm sure he never meant it
She was never supposed to remember
and all those years she's kept it with her
A molested daughter
and a hurt father
Now I'll never have a chance to ask
the reason for this gruesome task

MP, age 16

Class Poetry: "The World Doesn't Understand"

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
So I be bad and show it in me
But now I understand so I could be Free
And I should let it out from now
So there wouldn't be any problems in our town.

FT, age 12

--------------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Bottled up inside are the words I never said.
The feelings that I hid, the lines you never read.
You can see the pain in my eyes, Read it on my face.
Trapped inside are the lies of the past I can't replace.
Yesterday's are over, even though the pain is hot.
I can't help but blame myself for the homie who was shot :/!
When will this war end?
why do I have to pretend?
I seem so happy, I say I'm fine,
When straight-up, I'm dying inside.
I'm out hustlin the streets,
tryn'a come home with some money for my family and me.
I pray to the lord every night,
I ask for his guidance while I live my crazy life.
I ask him to please show me how to live my life right,
and to open my eyes, so I can finally see the light.
I'm locked away like an animal behind these brick walls.
Hoping one day, I'll be fee from it all.
And if I die before I wake,
I pray the lord my soul to take.

VG, age 14

----------------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
But I do I have a tumor
the size of a disco ball so
Id say I'm not that smart
and I have a friend who likes
to beat me and I get mad
and kill some fools

LH, age 14

-----------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
only I understand whats going on in
me, whats going on in me is a
little devil that wants to do bad
things. but also a angel that wants
to do good things.

TG

----------------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Roses are red violets are blue, I'm
fighting for freedom how about you and
here I sit on this slab staring at the
wall while I am sad and when I go
home I will be glad to finally
be back with my fam and if I
return I will surley be stern because
I thing I deserve to show the world
what I have learned.

MT, age 16

-----------------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Triggers, urges, and temptations.
on the inside I'm dark, on the
outside I'm bright.  Those 3 things
are controling my life. My thoughts
are so overwhelming, my mind is filled
with only my past.  I have no idea how to
get rid of this.  I feel as if no one
understands what I'm going through.
no one feels the physical pain
Heroin is my life and I have
nothing else to gain.

JW, age 17

------------------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I am slowly starting to break
even 1 more month I cannot take
I think of him & it breaks my heart
I sit & cry I no longer want to try

JM, age 14

------------------------------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
Wondering why I seem so down
looking towards me not the ground
always running from the truth
runnin in the same old group
takin some of the biggest risks
just to get some brand new kicks.

SMS, age 15

Class Poetry: "Take a Look and Tell Me"

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see a kid in a bad situation.
whos never going to go through salvation
And is going to be good in life,
So he could have a good a good difference for
a good price.

FT, age 12


---------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see a girl who just wants to be loved.
 Look closley, you'll see the pain in her eyes.
 Little do people know she too cries.
She wears a mask from night to sunrise.
Hoping no one see's through her lies.
She caries scars from her past.
She doesn't know how much longer she'll last?
She no longer believes in the word called love.
All that she can think about is what's waiting up above?!
She manages to keep her composure when people are around.
They wouldn't Understand her, so she dosen't make a sound.
Her heart is filled with untold secrets and pain.
There's no worth trying anymore, she has nothing left to gain.
It's so sad knowing that she'll never be the same....

VG, age 14

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

A trouble maker who never
learns beat me kick me I will
never learn I'm in a cage how
about you struck daily by hand
never learning what I need to
learn to survive

LH, age 14

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see a man lost in the world.  Thinks he
has to impress people.  to make people love
him.  I see a person who feels he has
to lie to kick it with the homies.
a person who has to lie to be happy
with a female.  A person who has
to lie to feel loved by others.
when I look at my self thats what
I see.

TG

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see some one who doesent know
what to and I see someone that
wants to do the wright thing and doesent
wan't to fall anymore and somebody who
doesent crawl except for when I stall.

MT, age 16

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see a girl trying to overcome every
mistake she's ever done and trying to
pull herself from the darkness thats
begun.

JW, age 17

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see a girl thats always mad.
dosint smile & is always sad
wishes she could fly & let the troubles just
pass her by.  She takes it day by day
hoping & praying soon everything will be okay!

JM, age 14

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

I see the pain in your eyes.
I see the hurt in disguise.
Wish that I could make it better.
Clearing up the stormy weather.
Helping you do your best.
Bypassing all the rest.

SMS, age 15

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
What you see in me,
This is what I see

a mis under stood teenager
a poor young man trying to get by
a man with a low life
theres anger in and all round me
Dear god please help me
I always do my best
but I need help and guidance
from those all around me

JP, age 16

Class Poetry: "The World Doesn't Understand"

--------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
because i don't even no what's going
on in me im so confused that i just
want to run away from this world.
and never come back i feel so confused
that i feel that no one would ever
be able to understand me.

AM, age 15

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I am a human being

everyone wants to be

mean but no one knows

what i have seen all they

say to me is your just a friend

why wont' they treat me

like a human being only if  people

could see everything that i have 

seen then people would think about

being mean. 

TL, age 15

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

the world see a lot in you when

you do good anywhere in the outs

or at your job why cant the doesn't

the world understand you cuz you have

to do good anywhere you are at in the

world.

ZR, age 17

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

the world doesn't understand whats goin on 

in me I just wanna be able to live

in society and not be a trouble maker and

keep my stacks of paper with out dealing

hussuling robbing or stickin up but not I 

know I can. 

KS, age 17

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I just want to be happy.

But, I- I just can't. Because I just 

saw my mom got murdered.

So I ran upstairs and hid. But, the

killer, I here him coming up the stairs!

But he didn't find me.

But when he left, I was still scared

because I don't have no one left in 

me, all of them are dead. So 

I locked all the doors & feel asleep. And 

then never woke up. 

CU, age 12

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

so much is going on in me

sometimes I want to give up & find a different

place to be.

One day I might just flee.

I hope I can find a better place in me.

ST, age 16

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I'm just another man

Trying to make a living. 

AW, age 16

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

my liver says hi to my kidney, my

kidney say hi to the brain, the brain

says how r you to the splien, the splien

says hi to the heart.

CS, age 15

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

All they do is judge me

They judge my looks

They judge me by my age

They judge me by what I wear

They judge me by my temper

They judge me by the choices I make

They judge me by the friends I have

They judge me by the way I draw

Why can't everyone calm down and take a look

Take a look at my kind, carring, loving, hopeful

and joyful spirit inside me.

Be more open minded.

Be carring

Be happy

Be peaceful

And just open your eyes there is a world of many possibilitys out there but you won't know until you look. 

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I feel angry but no one can see me

I feel like I'm invisible and so no one 

cares to look and see 

what I can be when I feel free

so this is me

Take a look inside me

I want to be free

from this discrase inside of me.

CW, age 13

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

My life is so hard

I get in trouble with the

law. Every time I do something

right I think it's wrong. Its

like they put it down on a

card. Keeping track of every 

thing you do just like god

but you don't know there

watching your every move an

action.

HM, age 15

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I want to be free but its my 

actions that brought me here

I dont' fear on getting more time

in hear I am a monster with out

a lace to show my feelings in me.

RD, age 14

Class Poetry: "Take a Look and Tell Me"

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
i see a kid wanning to get
out of here and make a change
for that he can make it thru
life. And be able to have a good
life for the future.


AM, age 15


-----------------------------------
Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

I want to be free
I see myself free thats how
I want it to be but life
has a fee that you have
to pay if you want to be free.


TL, age 15


-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

that I see that people are deing
good in here Im working so hard in here
where i can go home and do good in the 
outs.


ZR, age 17


-----------------------------------
Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
am I crazy
cuz this is what I see 
A little boy affrade of hi
own toys becase of the other
boys smoking him around
telling him hes worthless as
he starts to frown by 
he gets up he cocks his fist
back and bops that little
hood rat in the nose as
every one heard a loud pop
the boy hit the growned starting
to cry the other boy had
a tast of power conseling inside
to take anyone who gets to him.


KS, age 17


-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

I'm the little girl. When I was 5
years old, my mom always told me
happyness was the key to life.
When I went to school we had to do 
on assignment what we wanted to be when I grew 
up. I wrote down "happy" they told me 
I don't understand the assignment & I told 
them that they didn't understand life. 


CU, age 12


-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

I see a beautiful young lady.
A young lady trying to find her way back home.
A young lady happy to be alive.
A young lady trying to survive. 


ST, age 116


-----------------------------------
Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
Mirror mirror on the wall
Take a look and tell me
what you see in me
Is it good or is it scary
When I look into the mirror
This is what I see 
A man trying to change
Being the best I can be. 


AW, age 16


-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

A kid who likes poetry.
A kid that also loves to party.
I am the one dancing on the table.
It makes it easier to see
The life of poetry
Brings out the man in me
So next time you think your tough
or the next time you think your bough
just right some poetry
and you will be surrounded by your friend
and not your worst enemy
that is lurking inside of the
Then when you realize you like it.
You will write and write.
Untill there is a dark gloomy night
and no one is in sight. 




-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

I see a boy that is hard on the outside.
but when you go inside he is small and defenceless like a baby.
But can become a monster if any thing happens
to someone or something he loves
So if you be good and don't hert his feelings he
will be an angel from above. 


CW, age 13




-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

That my thoughts and feelings
is to be free. I'm in my 
room every single day bored
and frustrated Oh you show me
what to do I'm confused
and irritated. What should I do 
I'm filled up with all this frustration. Please help I need
some concentration.


HM, age 15


-----------------------------------
Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
a meanly beast that feasts
on some heast. I cook meat
in heat or else I turn green 
like a bean but I am red 
hot so mean but aggresive. 


RD, age 14

Class Poetry: "The world doesn't understand"

The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
I work hard to have
a good destiny
I always look forward
to the future as far
as the eye can see
but the world doesn't understand
what's going on in me.

AS, age 17

-------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
The world can only comprehend what's going
wrong with me
well obviously
even a young man could point at everything
wrong with me
do you want me to show you how
much of a bad man someone can be
I can pull out a video clip and show you how
visually
Looking at me with that dumb smug look, casually
Judgin a book by its cover, pfft, honestly
This is why the world doesn't understand
what's going on in me.
The world can only comprehend what's going
wrong with me, Ima tell you positively
that I can show you how much of a real man  that
I can be
or I can show you how much of a bad man that I can be
I can pull out the deepest, darkest anger and show you physically.

JA, age 17

-------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

The world only see's what's 

wrong with me they don't 

see the good things in

me they cant see the 

good thing I do for my 

family. 

VR, age 16

-------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

Conflicts of the mind

hurts of the heart

trying to live my life

not knowing how it'll end

but who cares

every things ends in the end.

CH, age 16

-------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

Depression, regresion, love from 

above. I know my life is messed

up but Im not top thug. so death

my breath Im happy life's best.

JC, age 12

-------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

so much pain you can't even see me cause

people don't even pay attition to me ya'all

don't know how I feel with all this pain inside

me. 

TA, age 15

-------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

By what do you mean? 

I have nothing to hide,

no reason to flea.

By the looks of it nothing to see.

To be honest, I feel quite free!

CW, age 15

-------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

they don't know what I 

boen through so just let me

be trying to go the right 

pat but the gang life just

wont let me. 

EA, age 15

Class Poetry: "Take a Look and Tell Me"

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
I see a kid who wants money
but can't find a job
I see a kid who wants to finish school
but doesn't have the dedication
I see a kip who wants to rap
but can't cause he doesn't have enough time
I see a kid who is making a change
and that kid is me.

-AS, age 17

-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, 

what you see in me, 

this is what I see

A person with a strong personality

with the right mentality.

No matter what you see in me

I know who I am and who Im destined to be

A few bumps in the road now please don't judge me

A few sticks and stones wont even budge me

They cheatin there way to the top so they try and nudge em

Trust me

They couldnt reach the top and tell me

what they see. 

JA, age 17

-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, 

what you see in me, 

this is what I see

I see a youngster trying

to make it in this 

life of sin trying to 

take care of his problems

with the law and get 

back in school and do

good in life so that 

he could get a good

example n his family

and let them see that he 

could do good and be

secsead in life so 

that one day he could

have a family of his own. 

SR, age 16

-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, 

what you see in me, 

this is what I see

A big 6 ft 2 redneck hilbilly rebel from way

down south who loves to use duck tape for

everything & can fix almost anything with it.

We all should use it because it can fix

everything.

TA, age 15

-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, 

what you see in me, 

this is what I see

A person with low self Asteem,

Not much to believe in.

Tryna find who he is in this

world & no one believes him.

Lost his first love that wasn't part

of his blood.

His heart is torn apart.

SB, age 17

-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, 

what you see in me, 

this is what I see

Nothing special

hard working, fine grades

doing my best, at one stop

I might deserve a rest, but that is next.

CW, age 15

-----------------------------------------------

Take a look and tell me, 

what you see in me, 

this is what I see

I see a full time Mexican 

trying to be free trying to make it

through this crapy society trying 

to live and not die and showing

my family that I do love my life.

EA, age 15

Class Poetry: "The world doesn't understand"

The world doesn't understand
what I see. Its what you dont see.
Because it is me in which I see. 

RT, age 15


------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
I'm a fighting machine, I cant stop
I mean, I wish for money
power and every thing. So 
one day I can be king.


TB, age 15


------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
I want to get out of JJS custody
and go home and be with my family.


CY, age 17


------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
its like a bottle for life or death like that
show I used to watch when I was young with 
the pill robot guy and the white blood cell
guy that fight all of the germs. 


TR, age 13


------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
But the truth is the world really does.
My trauma, my pain is all been experienced by
many before m. I remember a time when
I let the world treat me as a victim.
therefore that's what I became. I refuse
to feel the restraint of the world because
I would prefer to make excuses so in all it's
not that the world doesn't understand me
I just don't know the world. 


AS, age 17


------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
I feel sad, like I'm the one who is to suffer or
pay for that mans wrong doings. I've lost every thing
How can I cope, when sometimes the ones who ment 
me harm are those who said "I love you." When fear 
is my friend, and I feel it but dont act. I always was
the one to protect the little ones. And I'll always 
remember I'm the survivor and I get to tell 
the story. But what happens when that storyes at 
its end? 


AS, age 16


------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
see what they don't see, is what I 
see-- and that is me. they say Im
hiding in the dark and they cant find me.
Im tip toeing on hells boundaries with 
the devil so dont try me. If you can not
see me turn on the light and look into
these eyes and it should be clear that 
I am not telling lies. like I said this clown
has his head stuck in the skies, thats why
he spits these crazy rhymes-- waiting in
his cell to get out and live his life. 


CM, age 14


------------------------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
try an walk a mile in my shoes the world lfe me 
nothing but these blues. 


SC, age 17