If I Were Me: a poem about being yourself for kids; a poem about being unique. Carpe Diem.

If I Were Me

When I was young
As young as you
I did not know
What I could do
I did not know
What I would see
I did not know
What I could be
I did not know
What made me me

The views were new
The dreams were tall
The climbs were fun
The fear small
The wishes big
The laughter heaped
The wonder wide
The magic deep
No time to look
Before the leap

And now I’m old
As old as me
I know the dreams
I didn’t see
I know the same
Recurring view
I know each day
What I would do
If I could know
The things you knew

Imagine all the things we’d be
If I were you and you were me
Imagine all the things we’d do
If I were me and you were you

© Mark Bird 2010

💡 Creative Writing, Drama and Poetry Lessons for Teachers:

As the writer of "If I Were Me", I created this gentle, reflective poem about being yourself for kids to explore identity, imagination, and the unique journey of growing up. It works beautifully as a poem about being unique for kids, sparking rich classroom discussion, creative poetry, and drama-based activities. In writing sessions, students can respond with “If I Were Me” poems of their own, celebrating their individuality or imagining life from someone else’s perspective. Drama ideas include partner performances where two voices explore what makes them different—and what makes them the same. Through movement, role-play, and spoken word, children can express their identities and the limitless possibilities of who they can become. This poem invites young people to honour the past, dream about the future, and above all, be fully themselves.

If you could write a be yourself poem to your younger self, what advice would you give them? What things do you think we take for granted when we're young? Why not write your own Be Yourself poem as reminder of how much potential you have right now.

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