Assignment #3

Homemade Soccer Balls

Skinny black boys running
Hoping, Wishing, Dreaming
Of one day escaping
This prison called a refugee camp.

Kicking a soccer ball
Made from old plastic bags and clothing.
They are all dreaming of one day glorifying
The desert nation and people of Somalia.

They are forever trying to escape.
Escape from the Duksi (religious school)
Escape from the school
Escape from Kakumo (refugee camp)
Escape from Somalia
Escape from Famine, Poverty, and War.

They are me
And I am them.
I live because so many have died.
I am the embodiment of hope.






Trenches

My feet are dry, my feet are cracked
My feet are wet, my feet stink
Rats and trench feet
They go together
Like ware and death.

I used to have normal feet
Before the dammed war started.
I sold my shoes
For extra rations
So now I march without shoes.
March, March, and March.

My mom would be shocked
If she saw my feet.
But I am a soldier
So I must continue marching.
So onwards I march, march, march.

Moby Dick and 2PAC

Things Remembered

Part1: Moby Dick
2. When I am feeling down I usually go for a long walk. This allows me to reflect on the situation without being around the person who got me upset in the first place. I try to remind myself that I am lucky and have a great life compared with less furtunate people. I always try to make myself feel better because there is no point to pitying yourself.

Part2: "Dear Mama" TUPAC
1. I brought in the lyrics from a song called "Dear Mama" by 2PAC. I was 11 when my older brother told about it and made me listen to it. I listened to it and instantly fell in love with it.
2. I had left my mom back in Africa and lived with my dad for three years. Everyday I missed her. This song helped me feel close to her and also made me appriciate all the things she used to for me.
3. "Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face -- Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place -- Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool -- with the big boys, breakin all the rules" I used to get into a lot of fights back in elementary school. This made feel like I wasn't alone going through such problems.
4. A. Tell about a time when someone important to you was gone for a long amount of time.
4. B. You feel an emotion reading these lyrics, why or why not?