Mat-Su Mask-Inspired Poems

By Kaylene Johnson

Justin
Happy, Special
Draw Drum Compose
I Don’t Understand Why
Incomprehensible

I am a musician and a poet
I wonder if I will make it to the stage
I hear the songs and laughter
I see myself playing for love and for rage
I want to play for the fans and for me and for God above
I am a musician and a poet

I feel the sounds of the thuds and the screams
I pretend to see my fans go insane
I touch the crowd with my nerve-broken hands
I worry if I will make it to the stage
I cry tears of worry and of doubt
I am a musician and a poet

I understand that I might not make it there
I say to myself I can and I will
I dream I meet God with a smile because I make it to the stage
I hope I do make it to where I wish to be
I am a musician and a poet

Monika
Tall, Clumsy
Loving, Running, Hiking
I enjoy to sing
Outrageous

I Am

I am someone who is understanding and caring
I wonder how long I will be around
I hear voices in my head
I want to be seen by the world
I am someone who is understanding and caring.

I pretend to be famous
I feel angels around me
I touch the stars that hang above me
I worry that I might fail in my parents’ eyes
I cry myself to sleep
I am someone who is understanding and caring.

I understand that I can’t change everything around me
I say I need him by my side
I dream of being happy all the time
I try to be a fighter
I hope my life will be fulfilling
I am someone who is understanding and caring.

Elizabeth
Intelligent Beautiful
Jogging swimming playing
I like to laugh
Extravagant

I am a strong and caring woman
I wonder what I will be like when I get old
I hear people’s innermost thoughts
I see all the kindness in everyone I meet
I want to live my life to the fullest
I am a strong and caring woman

I pretend I can fly with the clouds
I fell the power in me
I touch people’s hearts
I worry about not reaching my goals
I cry when I feel too much
I am a strong and caring woman

I understand that life is hard
I say, "I’ll try my best"
I dream that someday I will be famous
I try not to let other people’s problem bring me down
I hope that my smiles and laughs bring happiness to others
I am a strong and caring woman

Jake
Forgiving, respectful
Snowboard, invent, ponder
I am so cool
Cryptic

I am a simple person of equal quality, learning to accept the world.
I wonder why I sometimes lose myself in things that do not matter.
I hear the everlasting nothingness.
I see the whirlwind of reality lingering in my life.
I am a simple persona of equal quality, learning to accept the world.

I feel a submissive sense of control over my mind.
I touch the this wall retaining my subconscious.
I worry I will be engulfed in life’s endless sought-for realization.
I cry as I watch the ignorance of man, as he destroys himself and the world he was given.
I am a simple persona of equal quality, learning to accept the world.

I understand limitations beyond sight.
I say there is always hope and understanding; and if you
know this you will live with content.
I dream of the end.
I try to understand life.
I hope that others try too.
I am a simple person of equal quality, learning to accept the
world.

Shannon
Sweet, Fun-loving
Hike, Ice Skate, Create
I’m a sensitive person.
Romantic

I Am

I am a loquacious young lady, who adores my Romeo, my mother and brother.
I wonder where I’ll be in five years.
I hear my amiable mother weeping for the husband who left her.
I see myself being a marvelous mother of five.
I want to or I will do the best that I can do.
I am a loquacious, young lady, who adores my Romeo, my mother and brother.

I feel enraptured and passionate when I think of my Romeo.
I touch my niece’s supple soft skin and am reminded of the child I once had.
I worry that my Romeo works himself too hard.
I cry when I reminisce about my parents still being married.
I am a loquacious, young lady, who adores my Romeo, my mother and brother.

I understand that life isn’t very carefree.
I say to myself that I will be prosperous and joyous.
I dream of bearing my Romeo’s children and having a picturesque family.
I try to make everyone I love as happy as I can.
I hope the anger and discrimination in this world will get better.
I am a loquacious, young lady, who adores my Romeo, my mother and brother.