Madeleine's Poem: Two Sides of Me
Two Sides of Me
Two siblings, two parents
two houses
and my absence
A girl living in my home
even though she can go back to her’s
Two sides of me, one you will never see
because that side is for me
One side a happy, bright person
the other a dark, lonely one
One side calm, one side building sadness
when I don’t want to talk even though I’m hurting
my family sees me less
I only know three words at home:
“Leave me alone!”
I would hate to burden my parents with my
“teenage hormones”
and they tell me it’s only one part of my life
Why do they think that because I’m the older sibling
that’s an excuse for not needing help
can’t they see my heart is aching?
I guess I’m expected to be a role model
when I don’t know how
The expectations for a person I can’t be
stress me yet I put on a smile every morning
to cover the storm brewing inside me
Only two true emotions
anger
sadness
Make that three for when I’m disappointed
Disappointed that my aunt won’t hang out with me
even when we live in the same city
And the words, “there’s no room for kids in my house”
And if only she knew how it feels
to lose a best friend
Because I know
and I would like to say I know well
because friendships are lost once you move
to a different class
And my mom says it’s okay when that happens
but I don’t think she knows how it feels
because you don’t have to when you grow up in a small town
A small town that is one of my few safe places
trees as far as the eye can see
but I can’t talk about it like it’s my home
because it isn’t
I can only call myself a city girl
even though I never feel like one
I go so far out into nothing
that you can’t find civilization for miles
It’s like my mind
when I turn on a video game console
Empty, dark, only one thing
to bring me this fake happiness
that can only last for so long
Because eventually I have to face reality
The reality where I hide everything from everyone and hold in my tears
that others don’t think exist
because I’m afraid that people will always be worrying about me
But the absolute thing that I hate,
is when people call me emotionless
Just because you see one side of me
doesn’t mean the other isn’t there
I try not to cry
because I’ve spent years
trying to be that person
That person who is there for others
who holds everything in
And I know the tear stains on my pillow
will never wash out
Because those two sides of me
will never leave
The poem was an insight and helped us learn more and it was powerful and you changed your voice to match what was written.
ReplyDeletewow that was AMAZING i love how you talked about the 2 sides of you one we see and then another we dont awesome job
ReplyDeleteyour poem was very deep and filled with emotion. I'm not used to this side of you but it's very interesting. I can truly relate to the feelings you expressed through your poem. It was truly well written and very entertaining. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI really relate to this, and I'm pretty sure others can too because there's always a side people hide from others and a lot of people make assumptions and they don't even know a lot about you and your home situations. I have nothing else to say honestly, nice job =)
ReplyDeleteMadeline, I loved this poem! I liked how you used multiple examples of imagery to get your point across, and I also liked how you talked about the feelings you have of yourself and what you would be n your future and how you think of yourself in both positive and negative ways. Overall, this is an excellent poem!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Maddie this is sensational. I loved your poem so much. I really loved the comparison of the two faces because I can totally imagine how you feel and it just brought the poem to life. I can relate to the part about the city and the two faces, but I can't understand what it's like to have divorced parents. You really took me into your world and I learned so much about you. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOMG! Maddie, I never knew this about you, and when I first saw this poem, it made me cry. I always thought you were really happy, but now I know what really is going on. In the beginning of the school year, you talked to me, but now we stopped. I wondered why and why you were really sad and alone sometimes but I never knew why. I love how you were brave enough to present this poem. Awesome job Maddie! After hearing this poem, I want to know more about you. Great job Maddie!
ReplyDeletethat was a really good poem and I mean it. I thought it was pretty cool how you brought in your home life into your poem, and I thought it was really cool. good job
ReplyDeleteThis poem was amazing! It was one of my favorites, and the way you presented it, with your great rising and falling tone made it excellent. I can relate a lot to this, with the "emotionless" reputation, and the expectation to be normal constantly. I think its great that you presented this, I really enjoyed this poem, amazing work Madeleine!!!
ReplyDeleteI really liked this poem and how you talked about dealing with conflicting sides of your emotions. You addressed many different things that make up your identity, like your parents' divorce and your relationship with your aunt. I thought it was really good and I thought you were a really tough person, but I should've taken into account the other feelings you had. It was so amazing and you really expressed a vulnerability that takes your poetry to the next level.
ReplyDeleteyour experience of holding in your emotions was cool and good especially when you speak about when you cant hold your emotions in. your poem says that you live in chicago but you are more like a country girl.
ReplyDeleteAmazing poem! The words you used really helped people know you better. Your imagery really helped people see what you felt all the time. Great job!
ReplyDeleteAlso, have you tried dry cleaning solvent?
I thought this poem was great. It was a very good, long poem. I liked how you talked about what problems you have with your family. It also talked about how you have a passion for things such as video games which give you happiness.
ReplyDeleteMaddie I know you as both sides, I have seen both. I know you on the inside and I'm happy for you that you shared it. I know you love coming with me to Iowa- the vast prairie and the memories- we have to go back! I really loved you literary devices, and I really like you as a person both sides. I will always be your friend. I LOVE your poem, it brought someone next to me to tears. -> next that way. -> I just really love your poem! Great job!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteEveryone can connect to this poem. This shows a deeper side to you and i loved how you used voice inflection you sounded so angry which really added character to the performance. Don't be afraid to express yourself and i want you to feel safe. The poem flowed really well and did a great job.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I think this was a powerful performance--you really took seriously the presentation aspect of reading a poem aloud. Second, I think this was a powerful poem. There were so many ways you refer to having two sides that were interesting--the part about the city not feeling like home reminded me of Jackson's poem, too.
ReplyDeleteI think this poem shows another side of you it leaves you wondering who you split from when you left neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOSH! THAT WAS AMAZING! Very well written, presented even better! Now that is a poem I would want to hear over and over again. I liked how you told us about everything going on in your mind, how you feel when you're at home, and how that affects how you act when you come to school. It was really brave of you to go up there and talk about your relationship with your aunt and your dad. You got an applause right away (A standing ovation!). I loved it! Amazing job!
ReplyDeleteMaddie, I LOVE YOUR POEM! Everyone in this class, including myself, can relate to this poem. I feel like sometimes I have to put on a mask and pretend that I am okay when I'm not. Your voice infliction help convey the beautiful message in your poem. I always see you as this happy and tough person but as your poem says there is two sides to you. Overall, this is a very meaningful poem!
ReplyDeleteThis poem really shows how your parents divorce is effecting you. also thus shows how you aren't able to show the other side of your life. Im able to relate to this because sometimes i can't show everything about me either. But this poem overall was amazing.
ReplyDeleteWow Maddie, this poem was amazing! I don't know what it is like to be the oldest sibling, but the language you used made me be able to relate more, almost as if I can put myself in this position. I also liked how you mentioned that even if you don't show your emotion doesn't mean that you have none, I feel like that is something a lot of people can relate to, overall great job!
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