Poetry for a Sustainable Future 2020/2021

If written and illustrated by Djurdjina R. &nbsp; If you look in the mirror and fail to see The glistening tears rolling down your cheeks If all you are isn’t what you want to be Don’t sit in your room in despair for weeks! If the freckled spots splashed around your skin Make you feel as though you aren’t pretty Just remember that beautiful grin And above all that you are very witty! If the words of others often hurt your soul And the lack of praise money makes you sad Remember everything you feel is your control Now close your eyes and dream away the bad If the media, built from anxiety and fear Filled with perfect bodies on the screen Remember everything you feel is your control Now close your eyes and dream away the bad If the media, built from anxiety and fear Filled with perfect bodies on the screen Leaves you feeling green Remember how beautiful you are my dear.

Remember, you are much more than the color of your hair, you are smart, intelligent, creative, and superior in many ways. One more thing and I’ll let you go, Don’t try to fit in by all the things you are not.

Escape written and illustrated by Milica J. Are you still there,&nbsp; On the planet called Maya&nbsp; Or have you moved to T-26, So you can watch that thing that has always made me wonder why you named it&nbsp; Zero When it sounded just like a sunset but with more orange from the light reflecting off Jupiter. There was always that look on your face whenever I compared these two, And you couldn’t say a thing when I whispered that you could also dream throughout the day And not just at night.&nbsp;&nbsp; But whatever I said or did, It was still Zero Because,&nbsp; Like you said, It only comes at night,&nbsp; And there is no such a thing like the Sun at night…&nbsp; &nbsp;

Imagine&nbsp; written and illustrated by Aleksandra M. Imagine waking up every morning on the Same old hard concrete&nbsp; And to consider as a blessing the sun that had Mercy to warm up your cold bones Which can be seen through your dry discolored Skin&nbsp; And to look at the sky with your sunken eyes&nbsp; Praying that someone will understand Your torments And get you out of them Only to meet the moon again&nbsp;&nbsp; Hungry, tired and alone&nbsp;&nbsp; Imagine you were a child&nbsp;&nbsp; And your little eyes have never seen A better life&nbsp; You were never hugged by your mother&nbsp; You were never held or comforted&nbsp; Or received any love&nbsp; Losing hope so young&nbsp; And surrendering to despair&nbsp;

Imagine you were old&nbsp; Forgotten by the ones you gave your life to&nbsp; Confused and miserable&nbsp; Aware of your destiny&nbsp;&nbsp; Desperately sitting next to the phone&nbsp; Hoping that someone will save you from Silence&nbsp;&nbsp; Only to fall asleep once again on an old Dusty couch you couldn’t clean by yourself&nbsp; Because those bones of yours have served You long enough&nbsp; Now,&nbsp;&nbsp; Imagine someone reaching out to you&nbsp; And telling you that everything will be fine&nbsp;&nbsp; And that all your desires will be fulfilled&nbsp; Suddenly you feel safe&nbsp;&nbsp; Every new day is just like a dream you had After you cried yourself to sleep&nbsp;

And you know this isn’t special but you never Wanted more&nbsp; You just wanted someone to imagine&nbsp;&nbsp; To understand&nbsp;&nbsp; To help&nbsp; But I’m not talking about you&nbsp;&nbsp; This isn’t about you&nbsp;&nbsp; But it could be&nbsp;&nbsp; Your imagination is someone’s reality&nbsp;&nbsp; Why not make this world a better place?&nbsp;&nbsp; Why not make their imagination our reality?

A Deep Breath written and illustrated by Kristina G. Take my hand. Look me in the eye I feel it…you’re frightened to death. Oh dear, it’s alright, you can cry! I’ll be here, so take a deep breath. I know life isn’t always kind, Oh how it can leave a gruesome mark! But I know your heart, soul and mind, So trust my word, you’ll survive this dark! Don’t say such words, my friend! You see so little of your worth! You speak as if it’s the world's end, But it’s still with you, our mother Earth! &nbsp;Feel your strength, we’ll make it through, &nbsp;Hold my hand, so you don’t fall! Take a breath, I’ll stay with you, It’s alright, we’re all human after all!

Then I used to mention stars because the Sun is also a star, And all that confusion we made out of nowhere…&nbsp; It was my favorite escape.&nbsp; But, What about you, Are you still there,&nbsp; On the planet called Maya Or have you moved to T-26?

If written and illustrated by Anja V. Like a lightning bolt struck down from The infinite sky Everything you can comes crashing down, In the blink of an eye. Only if you’d listen to what I obtain to declare You'd know that I'll take the pain And agony away. Sadness can overpower your senses, wrap you In its darkness. While you attempt to prevent everything in you From colliding. It can slash a way to your heart and reach Out to the bottom of every afflicted soul. You need to handle your emotions in line just to endure everything that comes by.

You’re Never Alone writen and illustrated by Mina C. I see the way you look down, past your shaky hands And how quickly your eyes tear up when you feel alone I see that you’re hurting, but there’s no one beside you It’s hard living in a place where your sadness only expands And you built those wall from pain into stone You feel hopeless, I know I’ve been there too But darling, don’t let the hard times be the last stamp on your passport Don’t let the gloomy night get to you ‘Cause there’s so much more to see So many places to be When you know tomorrow awaits and It won’t go on without you

Contents: A Deep Breath by Kristina G. A Secret to Success by Lena L. Dear Girl by Ivana A. Escape by Milica J. If by Anja V. If by Djurdjina R. If By Stefan R. Imagine by Aleksandra M. Sonder by Anastasija P. You Are Nver Alone by Mina C.

A Secret to Success written and illustrated by Lena L. When you’ve seen it all All the tropics and cultures alike When you’ve been sitting on a throne In your tower full of might! When you've drank from a golden cup, And dined with the finest folk, In the most dazzling dress up, That follows the latest vogue. When you've climbed over the steepest hills, And have reached the brightest stars, Experienced the high-end thrills Of luxury and extravagant bazaars. When you've had the whole lot, The riches, the power, the fame, You mustn't let your heart rot For that is a perilous game You can have your crowns and rings and suits, And all that goes with treasure But you mustn't forget the roots Of life's greatest and most satisfying pleasure! Only when you have the benefit

Of love that prevails 'till the end And days filled with laughter and merit, That's when you'll know you've made it, My friend!

Dear Girl written and illustrated by Ivana A. You’ve changed your hair color, they say you’re pretty now. They said that glasses make you ugly, so you put on your lenses. They said your skin is too pale, you should put some makeup on. They said you’re too fat, so now you’re counting every bite you take. They said your clothes are too big, you should try to wear a top. They said your breasts are too small, so you decided to put some implants in. You taught they would like you now, but they said: “I don’t recognize her anymore”, “She’s all fake”, “She was much prettier before”. Now you’re standing on your own, but you’re more desperate than before ‘cause you don’t recognize yourself anymore.

Just now you realized&nbsp; that beauty can’t be seen by eyes; that those things don’t make you who you are. It’s said that no one told you that your beauty is inside. I hope we’ll make it clear now: You are all the books you’ve read and all the movies that made you cry. You are all the songs you listen to when you’re on your own, and everything you sing when you’re all alone. You are every smile you give to a stranger, and every tear you save to yourself. You are all things you like, and the ones you don’t. You are every moment when you’re acting like a child, and every moment when your head is in the clouds. So dear girl, Don’t change because they say you’re not pretty now, they’re blind because they can’t see your beauty is inside.

While you’re heading into the unknown, I'm requesting you to understand That you'll never have to struggle all alone. Fear remains one venomous thing that Can usher you Into the finest among the traps Where every limb you possess fights away From the dark. It’s merely up to you if you'll warrant him eat Each of the remains of a miserable creature Like you. If you want to terminate life constantly staying In your shell, while you could be getting Your way out of the hell. Perhaps, you're building a fortress and walls Around yourself If I'm being honest masking and hiding pain away Won't secure you any help. You need to handle your emotions in line Just to endure Everything that comes by.

Uzicka gimnazija September 2020 - March 2021

Sonder written and illustrated by Anastasija P. &nbsp; My friend, believe in your dreams! Because the one who is brave enough to Dream eyes wide open Is followed by fortune. Everywhere! &nbsp; My friend, You are capable achieving everything You want Because you are worth More than you think. &nbsp;

Remember: Your existence on this planet is Art itself! &nbsp; My friend, although it seems impossible to you Now Keep that beautiful smile on your face Regardless of triumph and sorrow Regardless of life!

Poetry for a Sustainable Future World Poetry Day 2021 Uzicka gimnazija, Serbia

If written and illustrated by Stefan R. &nbsp; Hey, Mister no name kid Who could you be? And if I asked you, could you fight for me? And hey, could you go into the crowd? With me by your side and still act proud? Hey, could you hold my hand? And walk with me through no man’s land? It’s fine if you don’t agree But I would fight for you If you would fight for me We could be one with no regrets And still live life without threats They can drive us underground I don’t care how far We will manage to overcome Hey, Mister no name kid If you’re still alive For eternity we could thrive If you fall and break a bone Just smile and remember, you’re not alone &nbsp;

You say you’re damaged, really damaged But that does not make you wise You’re special, you’re different But you don’t choose who lives or dies Let’s be normal, see bad movies Sneak a beer and watch TV We’ll bake brownies and go bowling We can go and just be free. And you know, it’s ‘cause you’re beautiful You say you’re numb inside, but I can’t agree So the world’s unfair, keep it locked out there In here it’s beautiful Let’s make it beautiful Be yourself, be amazed Of the wonders you’ll get to gaze Be your own man and don’t lie And everything will be fine Don’t be afraid of the dark that screams Just make it count and you’ll be free

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