This week Hyde Park’s poetry club read “Where I’m From” by Willie Perdomo, a poem about the people, lessons, and experiences that define our “origins.” Enjoy these poems by two Chicagoans about the push and pull between their selves and their hometown.
Hyde Park Poetry Club
9th – 12th Grade
Where I Call Home
by Kendall W.
Where I’m from is Chicago aka the windy city.
Bright lights coming from everywhere you lay your eyes.
Fast and loud cars roaming the streets downtown.
Construction all around the big city.
Violence every corner you walk past.
Diversity, yet still so separated.
This city is my home yet still so much work needed.
This is where I call home.
Where I’m From
by Ty’Shon M.
where I’m from is Chicago born
and raised grew up on the lowend
the best end when i grew up all i
heard was shots, drill music, and cursing
everyday i go to school, friend’s house
then home and three people who influence
me to do better are J.O., mom, and grandma
and i was always told don’t trust nobody
and love will get you killed.
