Paint Me Like I Am

Introduction:
Paint Me Like I Am, is a collection of poetry written by teens through a writing program called WritersCorps. The poem Furious is appropriate for grades five and up. The poem address the emotions of anger and depression.

FURIOUS
By Karen Baylor

My name is furious
I live in the House of Darkness
My favorite game is Truth, Dare, or Consequences
You better tell the truth
You better do my dare
Or you will suffer the consequences
My favorite color of lipstick is
The darkest shade of burgundy
My eyes are full of fire
My mouth is full of heartbreaking words
My heart is full of ice and stone
My hands are like bricks
My eyebrows are your warning
Don’t talk if they say no
Do if they say so
My favorite food is burnt lasagna
Because the world is
Black, bloody and cheesy to me anyway
I drive a purple car, but I love walking
In the valley of the shadow of death
Because I am furious.

[from Paint Me Like I Am by Teen Poems by WritersCorps, HarperTenmpest., 2003. ISBN:0060292881]

Extension:
Ask students to think of a range of emotions that they might go through in a day. Have students pick three to five emotions and create a Powerpoint presentation. For each slide use one emotion or describing word and create a background to match the word being used.

Teen Poems by WritersCoprs. 2003. PAINT ME LIKE I AM. New York: HarperTtenmpest. ISBN: 0060292881.