Identities Raroa Writers Issue One Inspired by the poem ‘Identity’ by Julio Noboa Polanco
Identity Poem Let them be the moon, a vast grey ball, hiding behind the dark, black clouds, afraid to harness the day,
I’d rather be the sun, shining bright, a jubilant mix of yellow and orange, bringing happiness to people all over the world.
Not afraid to stand out, the key to the occasional rainbow peeking through the fog, Let them be the moon, following everyone else, never deciding where they want to go, I’d rather be setting the path, large to some, small to others, driving weather, seasons, currents If I had the choice, that is who I’d be. By Ellie Palmer (Year 8)
Identity Poem
Identity
Mia Fraser (Year 8)
Let them be the sun, Blazing, vivid, rejoiced by the land, bringing light, bringing love. An egotistical creature worshipped by humans, Surrounded by its revolving admirers.
Identity Poem I’d rather be gloomy and mysterious, Shrouded by the deep night. Silent and solitary, the beam of light outshining the stars. The face of the inky night, Beautiful yet mystifying.
Identity Poem
The sun can be forever doomed, always observing the selfish humans as they destroy the Earth. I’d never want to be stuck, Powerless to make a change.
Identity Poem
I’d rather be surrounded by the dim, desolate landscape, often devoid of life. The quiet dark that hides the humans sleeping in their beds, Where everything is peaceful, slumbering below. I’d rather be associated with gloom and doom; forever cast aside. I’d rather be the moon.
Identity They can be the crystals, A treasure to be held, But shattered to fragments when struck down. I’d rather be a rock, Solid and unbroken, Commander of cliffs and mountain ranges. They can be the crystals, The star in the darkness, But pursued by unwelcome gazes.
I’d rather be a rock, Layered with history, Reigning over the briny ocean winds. Strong and untethered, Or glittering stars, They can be beauty, I will be Freedom. Evelyn Watt (Year 8)
Identity Poem Scarlett Jordan Year 8
Let them be waves, Trapped in their anger and raging towards the shore. Allow them to fire away towards the beach, Only to hit the ground And never reach the end. But I can be a cloud, floating in the sky. Being held by wind's hand and being gently pushed by his breath, Splaying out beneath me would be the world, Magnificent in its beauty.
They can be wet and wild, splashing about. Always crashing into one and another. Never seeing past the limiting sea bed. Their frustrating energy overwhelms their day-to-day life, suffocating the fun out of it. While I can drift peacefully in the sky. Getting to choose whether or not to be solitary or join a pack.
The others can live with the animals that are below their depths, Tickling their feet and surfing their white topped heads. They can live in a competitive family Always scrimmaging for attention, They can live out there knowing that, everyday, they would still be pushed towards the shore, then dragged back again. I can live free, Riding on the winds of many currents Having the time of my life.
I can let my sorrow spill down on the people under me, They can fear me all they want, They can hate me all they want, But I would not swap a thing, for I would rather be free, Than be compared And constantly restricted. I’d rather be a cloud.
Identity
Sea vs Sun Lottie Davidson (Year 8)
Let them be golden; hot and admired. Fire burning through their soul, the only light in a galaxy of darkness. I’d rather be a beautiful blue ocean. Wild and free, angry and provoking. Glistening under the glow of the burning ball of possessive light. Let them be stuck, thousands of metres in the sky. Let them have their twelve hours of glory. Just know, I’m here through the inky black of the darkest of nights. Unpredictable and perishing. Never having the same routine. I’d prefer to be unknown, yet an army. Millions of friends and always accompanied by another.
Let them be friendless, let them be undiscoverable. Let them be alone - for if anything gets too close, it burns into nothing. I’d rather rage on until I can’t anymore. I’d prefer to be a wonder, but vast and unknown. I’d rather be light and welcoming, but, under the surface, change in an instant. I’d rather be discovered, visited day by day. Let them disappear, behind the clouds. Appreciated some days and others not. Let them see the world, just never be in it. I’d rather be drawn into the horizon- a line of uncanny possibilities and mysteries. Let them never know I’m here- surfing onto the golden sand beaches and transforming into a ferocious churning sea. Let them be them. Just know I am who I want to be.
Identity Let them be tall spires, reaching for the bright sky, scraping at the flimsy clouds. The city, strong, civilised and powerful. Ancient and proud, bustling with people, forever loyal to the generations ahead. I’d rather be the sea. A lone shimmering bulk of water, transparent and soft, but filled with the life of thousands of creatures, harbouring and caring for the countless species. The special ingredient for a seafood market. Vast and endless, calm but reckless, Free from all restraint.
Yet it brings death. A restless, angry monster, swallowing the tiny ships that float across the world, engulfing the cities that stand too tall. A lethal weapon rising upon the masses of buildings, a black cloud of termination. Draining away life, draining away the only source of water. It sweeps through the city and floods to the sea… pollution. I’d rather be the sea, raging and wild, defending its will, pushing upon the rocky shores of humanity. Lincey Jiang (Year 8)