My Backpack Of Life Lessons

My Backpack of Life Lessons

As I fill my backpack  the night before  my first day of school,

I start to think and wonder what I should fill it with,
So I look like I am  really cool.

As I start to fill it,
I start to realize,
It’s OK to fill it with unique and crazy things,
That look beautiful only to my eyes.

I start by putting in a photo of a beaver,
One that lives in the park as my neighbor right beside me,
Because I have learned from  watching him build his house

If I want a better life I got to work hard, be creative,
And have a lot of  tenacity.

I then decide to put in a photo of a hawk,

That is searching high above  the ground for food,
As high as he can be,
Because he reminds me that  I got to search for knowledge and wisdom,
Without being scared by the weird and crazy things that I hear and see.

I chose to put a photo of a baby deer in my backpack for me to look back and see,
Because I want to remember,
That even in times of devastation and turmoil.
I got to be patient so I can see the beauty that is hiding in between the trees.

I chose to put a  photo of a chipmunk  in my backpack for  me to look back and  see,
Because that  chipmunk  had just chucked an acorn at a person as to way to protect himself,

just like I got to remember I need to  stop the bullies from hurting me.

I chose to put a photo of my garden in my backpack for me  to look back and  see,
Because love makes a garden and a relationship  grow strong and beautiful,
Love for myself, my family, and friends is something I strive to achieve.
It’s something very important to me.

A Place Called Home

A Place Called Home…
By Mary Salvani

My home is place where  I can rest  my  tired feet and body,

At the end of a long, exhausting day.
My home is a place where can friends and I can gather together,

a place where people feel free and welcome to eat and stay.

My  home is a place where I can read  and hang out,
It’s a place where  my friends and I want to be.
In fact one of only a handful of places,
Where I am not scared  of  being  ridiculed for doing something others see as weird or crazy,
It’s a place where I  feel  free to be me.

When you enter my home without my consent,
You’re disrespecting me.
It makes me feel like you are not allowing me
To be all the things I can and want to be.
When you check my toothpaste, towels, and toothbrush
without my consent,
You’re telling me,

You don’t trust my ability to become  an independent  happy and healthy person,

Who deserves to live  freely in this society.

What Makes My Place My Home

What Makes My Place My Home

The floors squeaks, the door is cracked,

the windows are slightly ajar,

To me, my place look quite unique,

When I look at it from a far.

There is four walls as you can see,

that protect me from the rain, wind, and cold,

Because my place is relatively new
I don’t think it has any mold.

Now I have told you about my place,
I will tell you what makes my place my home.

My place  is more than just a building,
It’s a home  where I feel safe,

As safe as I can be,

To hang out  on my own,

Or to have a meal

with my  friends and family,

My place is part of  a group of buildings,

Within a community,

Where I  can do some gardening with my friends,

or go fishing,

Or even take photos of wild animals,

playing in the trees.

What makes my place my home,
Is much more than you can see,
What makes my place my home,

Is that  I can let my guard down to relax
without fear of being hurt or scared. .
I am  finally free to be me.