Self Portrait Anthology

Savannah Stewart

November 18, 2017

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Table of Contents

Part 1: Poems I have found

Excerpt from Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur ………………………………………………………… 3

Unknown by AKR…………………………………………………………………………………………….............. 4

Addicted by Dream Weaver………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5

Unknown by Leah Stone………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7

I am an Artist by Unknown…………………………………………………………………………………………… 8

I am a Teacher by Andrea Gastmeier…………………………………………………………………………….. 9

3AM Pancakes by Rae Slager………………………………………………………………………………………… 10

Love Poem with Toast by Miller Williams …………………………………………………………………….. 12

Breathe by Madisen Kuhn……………………………………………………………………………………………. 13

Unknown by Atticus…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14

Part 2: Poems I have written

Those Last Few Minutes………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15

Where I’m From………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16

Mother……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18

Quiet Girl……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19

Christmas…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 20

Without………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………. 21

First Year…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 22

Happily Ever After……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23

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Speck………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24

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Part 3: Other

Non-text Self Portrait………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 26

Personal Narrative………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 27

Choice Pieces...……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 29

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Part 1

1. Excerpt from Milk and Honey

By Rupi Kaur

to hate

is an easy lazy thing

but to love

takes strength

everyone has

but not all are

willing to practice

The reason that I chose this piece is because to love is my sole belief. If everyone chose love

rather than hate, this world would be a much happier place. It is something I stand by and do

my best to teach.

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2. Unknown

By AKR

I am pieces of quotes

from my favorite books

stitched together by

song lyrics

and I am glued together by

midnight conversations

and the sweet taste of coffee

and I have this tendency

to fall apart suddenly

and I need you to somehow

be okay with this

because I am created by

the souls who are brave enough

to gather all my tattered pieces

and put me back together

and oh God how I would love to be whole again.

I came across this poem and it reminded me of myself for multiple reasons. I soak up what I

read and hear and a lot of it has made me into who I am today. Not to mention, coffee keeps me

going. I try to keep myself together, but sometimes I do fall apart when lots of stress has built up

over time. When I do fall apart, I rely on the people who love me to encourage me and remind

me that I am capable.

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3. Addicted

By Dream Weaver

I was the type of person

Who held onto things too tight,

Unable to release my grip,

When it no longer felt right.

And, although it gave me blisters,

And my fingers would all ache,

I always thought that holding on

Was worth the pain it takes.

I used to think in losing things

I'd lose a part of me, too,

That slowly I'd become someone

My heart no longer knew.

Then one day something happened,

I dropped everything I once held dear.

But my soul became much lighter,

Instead of filled with fear.

And it taught my heart that somethings

Aren't meant to last long,

They arrive to teach you lessons

And they continue on.

I didn't have to cling to people

Who no longer made me smile,

Or do something I've come to hate,

If it isn't worth my while.

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But you were my light,

And the hunt you make

Hurts in the moment

And takes away my breath.

That sometimes the thing you're fighting for

Isn't worth the cost

And everything I ever loved,

Was bound to be a loss.

But that's what addiction does

To crave, to kill

To suck out our souls,

To increase enmity between hearts and woes.

I chose this poem because of how it speaks to my experiences and who I am and was. I hold onto

things really tight, I have a really hard time letting go even when I know it’s the right thing to do.

I’ve never really had a problem with addictions to technology, or drugs, or alcohol. However, I

have found myself addicted to other people. When they give me the love and affection I can’t

always give myself, I don’t want to lose that even when the amount of hurt I am put through is

more. Many people I have loved and lost have shown me that they were only really there to teach

me something. I never regret any of these periods of time because of the lessons I learned from

them. I know this, but still find myself getting stuck with people who are only lesson teachers

and not the real deal.

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4. Unknown

By Leah Stone

You can’t be

everyone’s cup of tea

especially when

you’re coffee.

This short poem represents the part of me that wants to please everyone, but is realizing that I

can’t. It’s one of my biggest downfalls because it’s impossible to make everyone happy and when

I try to it hurts the person I am. I am working on staying true to myself and trying to be

“everyone’s cup of tea” if it’s not in my best interest.

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5. I am an Artist

By Unknown

I am an artist.

My definition of art is creating

something with my hands that is an

expression of who I am.

Art is a part of me.

I can't escape the urge to create,

to get out my feelings in the way

of paper and glue. Or losing myself

behind the lens of my camera.

I am so thankful for my art.

It's my own personal therapy.

And in the process I am leaving my mark

in the works I create.

I am an artist.

And there is nothing else in the world

I would rather be.

I chose this poem because it represents the part of me that is an artist. Creating is how I express

myself and is also therapy for me. I am able to lose myself in the process of painting or drawing

and I am proud of this part of me.

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6. I am a Teacher

By Andrea Gastmeier

Each and Every Day,

I lecture, I instruct, I coach, I explain.

I demonstrate, illustrate, clarify, and prove.

I show (and sometimes tell),

I inform, I train, I initiate.

I plan, diagram, map, chart, graph and design.

I question, quiz, probe, examine and confirm.

I care, I worry, I console, I inspire.

I pay attention to, I show concern for, I nurture.

I nurse broken hearts, fix boo-boos,

ease worries, and mend friendships.

I am a teacher. This is what I do.

I chose this poem because of how it describes my job as a teacher. There’s a lot more to teaching

than just teaching and this poem lists all of the different jobs we have as teachers. Teaching is

the main focus in my life right now, so I felt the need to include a poem that perfectly addresses

what I devote my life to.

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7. 3AM Pancakes

By Rae Slager

You don't go to IHOP

at 3AM

for scrambled eggs

and bacon.

At least,

that's not the life I want to live.

No,

you go to IHOP at 3AM

for cupcake pancakes

with a Reddi-Wip smile

and a warm cup of hot chocolate.

You go for explosive laughter

for tired eyes

for falling in love.

You go to IHOP

at 3AM

for memories

that will last a lifetime

and friendships

you hope

will never end.

IHOP at 3AM

is for drowning your worries

in blueberry syrup.

For being alive.

For being human.

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I love how this poem represents the memories I’ve made with friends at places like Waffle House

or IHOP, at weird times and on snowy days. Like the poem says, I never go for the food. I go for

the memories made and the stories and laughter shared. Sometimes this is the best way to take a

break from life and just be human.

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8. Love Poem with Toast

By Miller Williams

Some of what we do, we do

to make things happen,

the alarm to wake us up, the coffee to perc,

the car to start.

The rest of what we do, we do

trying to keep something from doing something,

the skin from aging, the hoe from rusting,

the truth from getting out.

With yes and no like the poles of a battery

powering our passage through the days,

we move, as we call it, forward,

wanting to be wanted,

wanting not to lose the rain forest,

wanting the water to boil,

wanting not to have cancer,

wanting to be home by dark,

wanting not to run out of gas,

as each of us wants the other

watching at the end,

as both want not to leave the other alone,

as wanting to love beyond this meat and bone,

we gaze across breakfast and pretend.

What I appreciate about this poem is the amount of truth in it. Everything we do is because we

either want something, or don’t want something. That’s how humans are wired to live.

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9. Breathe

By Madisen Kuhn

Don’t forget to get away every once in awhile,

To lose yourself in a book

Or in the woods behind your home

Ride your bike into the sunset,

Sit on your front steps and count the cars passing by,

Lay on your roof and gaze up at the night sky,

Drive along backroads with the windows rolled down

Listening to nothing but the sound of rushing wind

I hope you take the time to be alone,

To sort through the cluttered shelves of your heart

I hope you take the time to be silent,

To close your eyes and just listen

I hope you take the time to be still,

To quiet your mind and experience the beauty

Of simply Being

In a world that tells us we should always be

Connected, on the go, and doing something worth sharing,

I hope you know it’s okay to

Disconnect, slow down, and keep some memories

Between you and the moment you shared it with.

This poem is a reminder to myself, especially one I’ve needed lately. It’s so easy for me to get lost

in this fast paced world; between teaching, and class, and trying to keep up with friends and

family. Sometimes I need to slow down and just take in the moment I’m in.

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10. Unknown

By Atticus

It seems to me,

that love could be labeled poison

and we’d drink it anyways.

This poem reflects my deepest desire. Love is something I’ve felt, but it hasn’t always been a

good decision even if there was no way of knowing. The older and more experienced I’ve gotten,

the more I’ve realized how important it is to hold out for the right kind of love, rather than going

for it despite all of the warning signs being waved in front of it. As humans, we all want love of

some kind. Sometimes we choose it even if it means we will get hurt in the process.

Part 2

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1. Those Last Few Minutes

By Savannah Stewart

so much depends

upon

those last few

minutes

that could be used for

coffee

or a little more time in

bed

This poem represents those few minutes after my alarm goes off. I can either choose to wake up

and give myself time to get coffee before work, or press snooze and get those extra minutes of

sleep in my warm bed. It’s a daily battle.

2. Where I’m From

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By Savannah Stewart

I am from paint brushes

from Nana’s mac n cheese and Barbie dolls

I am from the dog hair in every corner

(Black, abundant,

it never seemed to end.)

I am from the rhododendron bush

the holly tree

whose leaves were like thorns as I ran across them

barefoot

in the middle of July.

I’m from board games and braces

from Kaitlinn Marie and Rebeccah Keaton

I’m from loud laughter

and eating meals together

from “Be nice to your sister” and

“Go take care of the chickens”

I’m from saying the blessing before eating

sunrise services

and summer camp.

I’m from Coral Gables and the Sprinkle’s,

Chocolate chip cookies and fried chicken

From the time my grandparents died

two months apart

from moving from Florida to North Carolina.

On a bookshelf in our house is a stack of

photo albums,

carefully put together by my sweet mother,

chronicling my childhood.

I am from these pages,

old but alive

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Smiling at who I was.

This poem is modeled after Where I’m From by George Ella Lyon. It represents the many

memories of my childhood, which have shaped me into who I am today.

3. Mother

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By Savannah Stewart

I know my mother

is always right

She knows what is best for me.

I used to ignore her advice

I’d pay attention to my own

wants and desires

And later find out

I would have saved

a lot of tears

If I had just listened to my mother.

The older I get, the more I realize how wise my mother is and how things would have went

differently if I had listened to her when I was young. Now my mom is my best friend, and I don’t

think twice about taking her advice.

4. Quiet Girl

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By Savannah Stewart

Nobody sees her

The quiet girl in the back

But she’s listening

I realize this poem is kinda creepy, but it’s really just about being introverted. Some people think

I’m shy, but really I just prefer to listen. Especially when I was younger, I would go unnoticed

because of this.

5. Christmas

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By Savannah Stewart

Colorful lights twinkling

Freshly baked cookies waiting

A burning fire warming

Rosy cheeks anticipating

Familiar faces gathering

Silver bells jingling

Tempting mistletoe hanging

Glistening snowflakes falling

It’s that time of year

I wrote this poem in honor of my favorite holiday when most of my favorite memories have

taken place.

6. Without

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By Savannah Stewart

Sleeping without an alarm set

Driving without a destination

Painting without criteria

Weekends without obligation

Living without worry

These are times in my life when I feel completely at peace. These moments are rare right now,

but I still try to make time for them. When life is too much, sometimes it’s best to live without.

7. First Year

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By Savannah Stewart

Ted’s contagious laughs

Sydney’s meaningful hugs

Tyce’s appreciated manners

Isaac’s selfless humor

Porter’s genius ideas

Clara’s sweet heart

Jillian’s brilliant art

Elijah’s quick words

Charlotte’s elaborate stories

Carter’s witty comments

Braylon’s terrible handwriting

Patricio’s inspirational confidence

Anna Gray’s passionate love of dragons

Brynn’s loyal friendship

Caroline’s sensitive feelings

Kayla’s positive attitude

Isabella’s creative mind

Neave’s driven personality

Kendra’s sassy demeanor

This is what I will remember from my first year

This is a list of all of my students and things that I think make them unique and memorable.

8. Happily Ever After

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By Savannah Stewart

Disney made me think that

I need a man

To be a princess

To have that happily ever after

But

I had to learn for myself

That I am a princess

All on my own

And my happily ever after

Is determined by me

And if I choose to share

My happily ever after with someone

Then that someone

Should want

Me for me

When I was younger, I always thought my purpose was to find true love and get married. As I’ve

grown up and realized my self worth, I’ve learned that I don’t need a man to be happy. Sure, love

is a wonderful thing, but having that shouldn’t determine my happiness.

9. Speck

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By Savannah Stewart

Just a tiny speck

In an infinite universe

Sometimes realizing you’re just a tiny speck can be a good feeling or it can be a scary feeling. It’s

nice knowing my problems are insignificant in this huge world, but knowing I’m so small can

make life feel pointless.

10. Untitled

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By Savannah Stewart

Sometimes

All you want to do is save the world

When

All you can really do

Is save yourself

This poem represents my desire to help everyone, but for that to happen, I need to help myself

first.

Part 3

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Non-Text Self-Portrait

Personal Narrative

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I was born at the Miami Hospital on July 19, 1995. The first 8 years of my life were spent

in four different houses in Miami Springs and Coral Gables, Florida. My parents used to buy

run-down houses on the side, and fix them up while we lived there. I spent most of my time

catching bugs, doing arts and crafts, and playing imaginative games with my sisters. My dad’s

side of the family lived in Florida as well, so we got to see my grandparents and aunts/uncles

often. I had a few good friends who I had many sleepovers with, even when I transferred schools

twice in third grade.

The first time I transferred schools, I was admitted to a Magnet Arts school. There, I was

able to gain extra instruction in art so that I could improve this skill. I spent most of the year

here, but in April my parents decided they wanted to move to North Carolina. This is where my

mom was born and raised, and she missed the mountains. We eventually packed our bags and

drove 14 hours to a farmhouse in Candler, North Carolina.

I spent the rest of my childhood in this house. We started out with just dogs and cats, but

eventually accumulated horses, chickens, a goat, and even llamas. Outside of school, I had

chores like feeding the chickens and helping with the garden. I enjoyed playing with my sisters,

whether it was building bug houses in the creek or playing Mario using our nintendo ds’. I

finished elementary school at Candler Elementary, then went on to Enka Middle and eventually

Enka High.

My senior year in high school, I applied to college. I ended up being stuck between NC

State and Appalachian State. I chose Appalachian because of its renown teaching program, and

the fact it was still in the mountains and only a couple of hours from home. My college years

were the best years of my life so far; the friends I made are lifelong, the experiences I had taught

me so much, and the happy memories are countless.

I originally planned on spending an extra year in school in order to gain my masters in

reading education, but my plans completely changed within just a few hours. My cooperating

teacher from student teaching called to see if I would like a 3rd grade teaching position at

Parkway School. This would change everything, but I knew that there was no way I could pass

up this opportunity. So two weeks before children started coming to my classroom, I had to

prepare myself and my room for my first year of teaching.

Now, I am still trying to balance all aspects of my life: teaching, grad school, family,

friends, and my own well-being. I’ve never felt so independent, which is both a great feeling and

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a scary feeling. Every choice I make is important, because there are so many people that I now

have an effect on. This is the first period of time that I’ve realized that I can’t please everyone,

and that’s okay. I am happy with my life, and I can’t help but believe this is only the beginning.

Choice Pieces

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