If I Were in Charge of the World July 27

 

Gentle Reader,

 

Ni Hao!   we are now about 3/4 through our teaching here in Guiyang, and I am finding that I must begin to plan the course of study even more carefully, as we only have a few class days left with our amazing students.

 

Two days ago, I shared Judith Viorst's poem "If I Were in Charge of the World" with my students.  I then asked them to "dream big" and pretend they were in charge, either as queen or king or president or premier, etc...  The results were all over the board, as far as what they would change.  Many talked about cleaning up the environment, making the world a less aggressive place, and having better relations between the countries and peoples of the world.  Several focused on what they would change in their families and especially in their jobs as teachers.  Some of the women wrote about wishes regarding choices that females have, including how they perceive themselves.  One man, 35 years old, wrote "If I were a dead man" for his poem.  This man is 35, unmarried, and very traditional in his views of relationships, role of women, job status, etc...  He has the soul of a poet and his writings are often laden with such sadness.  He seems to have been disappointed in love and writes about being lonely quite frequently.  His writing is very much his way of reaching out... 

 

So, below are a few of the poems students wrote in response to the Viorst prompt.  Enjoy...

 

 

If I were a dead man

I'd be relaxed

Every morning,

Day and night, and also

spring, summer fall and winter.

 

If I were a dead man

There'd be happier and sweeter life,

Sleeping body, and

All dreams becoming quieter and quieter.

 

if I were a dead man

You would be happy

You would be sweet

You would have a good future.

Or "Forget me forever."

you would even forget old times.

 

If I were a dead man

the sky would be blue.

The world would move every day.

And you who cheated me to smile happily

And sometimes forgot to miss my lonely soul.

A man shouldn't come to the world.

Let me be

A dead man.

 

                 -David

 

If I were in charge of the world

You wouldn't do many chores

You wouldn't have worries

You wouldn't have angers

or "the world in unfair."

You would be peaceful.

 

If I were in charge of the world

women would in charge of their looks

long hair, short hair, whatever they want.

tall or short, heavy or slim.

Looks like Anne Hathaway or Anelina Jolie.

All are in control by ourselves

And also, there'd never be

years or decrepitude.

 

                             -Sophia

 

If I were in charge of the time

I'd save my dear father,

many years,

healthy lives and also

happy and alive body.

 

If I were in charge of the time

i would study harder than before,

learn much more knowledge

understand much more hows and whys

become intelligent.

 

If I were in charge of the time

you wouldn't have vicious

you wouldn't be hostile to others.

You wouldn't have warfare

or:  don't be complain about everything.

You wouldn't even have worries.

 

If i were in charge of the time

many bad things would be disappeared

good things would be continued.

All students would be top students

and a person who sometimes forgot to be ready

for studying

and sometimes forgot to review

would still be allowed to

be in charge of the time.

 

                               -Tina

 

If I were a headmistress of a school

I'd cancel teachers useless work,

Monday mornings,

let teachers do some useful work.

 

If I were headmistress of a school

There's be happy teaching life.

Teachers students and

will hold colorful activities.

 

if i were a head mistress of a school

you wouldn't have nervous,

you wouldn't have uncomfortable,

you wouln't have to keep in school after class.

 

If I were headmistress of a school,

all teachers and students would be relaxed

and a teacher or student who will forget unhappiness

would still be allowed to be

an owner of the life.

 

                                  -Lily

 

If I were in charge of the world

THere'd be brighter future, powerful strength

no war exists.

no power disputes,

full of peace and harmony.

 

If I were in charge of the world

science and technology would replace labor,

management would be put at the first place

advance equipments were supplied everywhere.

no people died of lackkng of medical treatment.

No famine took place.

No poisonous food exists.

 

If I were in charge of the world,

i would attach importance to the education reform.

Treat teachers seriously.

Give more love and strength to them.

Improve the teaching quality.

Enhance integrated power of countries.

 

how hard it is!

But try and make it.

 

                         -Janya