I really liked the direction my poem took after I read Be Someone by Rita Ann Higgins. I would use it in the classroom along with IF and MY CREED to help kids develop their own guidelines for living.
Here’s my first draft.
Be Someone
Be someone who is kind
more than someone who is indifferent.
Indifference kills more things than
hate or anger ever will.
Be someone who dreams
and someone who helps other people
make their dreams come true.
Be someone who is not afraid to say you are wrong
and someone who doesn’t always have to be right.
Be someone who understands
that being yourself is enough
and that you don’t have to remake yourself
into something else
to make someone love you.
Be someone who loves
a lot
with all your heart
and no holds barred
because love heals
and help you grow
and it feels good too.
Susan Taylor Brown
Again, I like this one than the harshness of Rita Ann Higgins, though I think she was making a different point. I too wrote a “Be Someone” poem after hours of being stuck on what to write. Thanks for the inspiration!
BE SOMEONE
Be someone who lives
From the moment
You first breathe
You can be whoever
Whatever you want to be
Unless someone comes along
To shatter your dreams
Be someone you can love
For if you love yourself
Until your beauty within
Twinkles like the stars
Your beautiful eyes
Shine like the sun
You won’t be defeated
Be someone who believes
That anything is possible
That dreams can come true
You are the centre
Of your own universe
One filled with victory
You will attract greatness
Be someone who is positive
Build a shield of protection
From cruelties of life
To enhance all that is good
All that you can become
If you just open your heart
To be someone
– Anne McKenna
I think you can build a shield of protection with your positive thoughts.
Another nicely done poem, Anne.
Thanks for the kind words, Karen. I’m glad you were also inspired.