"I am From" Poem
Description:
​In beginning to explore the vastness of how the media shapes our identities, we’ll use poetry. “Poetry and art aren't just indulgences, or for decoration. They're forms of expression which can do things that essays or political speeches can't. Poetry in particular can convey additional aspects of the human experience, and help us to see life from a different angle” (source).” Specifically, we’ll use the “I am from” poem template attributed to the poet George Ella Lyon for her poem “Where I’m From.” We’ll use this format to inspire reflection on how our changing media experiences over our lifetime shape who we are, ultimately crafting an original piece that reflects our own, unique media identities. This assignment will be the first project included on your Website Portfolio for class.
I am from the blocky worlds of Minecraft,
from pixelated dirt, skies of possibility,
and endless towers of dreams built high.
I am from the camera’s quiet click,
capturing moments through video edits,
cutting, splicing, stitching,
making a world where there was none before.
I am from Fantastic Mr. Fox,
where wit met wild,
where clever heroes and quirky tales
taught me to love the strange, the small,
where creativity was a slow burn,
an unfolding world rich with patience and thought.
I am from YouTube’s vast sea of voices,
where tutorials, vlogs, and stories
became my teachers, my guides, my escape.
Hours of crafting, learning, and exploring
formed bridges between creators and dreamers,
a space where ideas could grow,
unhurried by the ticking clock.
But I am also from TikTok’s endless scroll,
where seconds slip away with trends,
and ideas fade before they’re fully formed.
From short-form content that demands attention,
yet leaves behind an emptiness,
creativity compressed.
I am from the streaming age,
where binge-watching becomes a ritual,
and stories once savored now devoured in marathons.
Worlds, once built brick by brick,
are now served in endless streams,
drowning in the noise of a thousand shows.
Here, creativity races to keep up
with demand, with trends, with time.
The future is not yet written.
Will creativity splinter into seconds,
lost in flashes of motion and viral waves?
Or will new worlds arise, like those blocky towers
built with patience, exploration, and wonder.
Our stories may shrink, but imagination remains,
ready to stretch beyond screens,
for the next generation to reclaim
what it means to truly create.