If I Were in Charge of the World | Teen Ink
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If I Were in Charge of the World MAG

By Anonymous

(Apologies to Judith Viorst)
If I were in charge of the world
My favorite flip-flops would never wear out.
There would be no books of poems with the
last page missing,
No hairy spiders to hide in the corners.
If I were in charge of the world
I would have a never-ending string of puddles
to jump in,
And mothers would never scold their children
for tracking mud halfway down the hall.
If I were in charge of the world
There would never be hungry but always satisfied,
Except in the classroom, where
There would be endless shelves of books to feed
voracious minds.
I would find a way to make it easier
For everyone to understand that sometimes the same
stars can make
multiple constellations,
And that Archimedes was right:
You can move the world if only you have a lever and
a place to stand.

© Anonymous

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This article has 259 comments.

RelativetoWriting GOLD said...
on Aug. 5 2013 at 9:44 am
RelativetoWriting GOLD, Brecksville, Ohio
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I like the way your poem triggers the idea of a utopian world without making it seem overly-idealistic. Commendable work!
sarah98 BRONZE said...
on Jul. 14 2013 at 1:59 pm
sarah98 BRONZE, Holyoke, Massachusetts
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this was inspiring and made me think about my ideal world, and the best poems are the ones that make you think
Gage1121 BRONZE said...
on Jun. 22 2013 at 11:16 pm
Gage1121 BRONZE, Santa Maria, California
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great poem. if u guys can please check out my work i wud love feedback if u can please comment and rate 
StarGazer9 GOLD said...
on May. 31 2013 at 9:17 pm
StarGazer9 GOLD, Marana, Arizona
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I can track mud across the carpet in your world?! Sweeet...
rhea752 GOLD said...
on May. 31 2013 at 7:16 pm
rhea752 GOLD, Merritt Island, Florida
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I wish I live in your world. Very nicely written
Positivity_At_Its_Finest DIAMOND said...
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your world sounds peaceful and filled with love!!! :)
CowboysAndAngels BRONZE said...
on Feb. 12 2013 at 4:06 pm
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That was wonderful! You are a truley talented poet. If you don't mind, I would appriciate it if you could check out mine, I would love to hear what your feedback
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on Feb. 12 2013 at 1:44 pm
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This poem makes me feel like with just a little imagination, anything is possible. Even being in charge of the world!
Picus. said...
on Feb. 12 2013 at 12:05 pm
Outstanding. Good Job! I wish I could write like that. =/ 
Lokelani said...
on Feb. 12 2013 at 11:47 am
Hey, Hoodster, I read your poem "Dream Girl". Are you sure you've never written poetry before? (GOOD JOB!)
Writer15 BRONZE said...
on Dec. 31 2012 at 10:00 pm
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Wow, this is amazing! I love how you say the same stars are in multiple constellations, and your reference to Archimedes. Brilliant! I absolutely love it!
Binte SILVER said...
on Dec. 31 2012 at 10:17 am
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Great concept! Loved the ending! :)
Dreamer_ SILVER said...
on Dec. 9 2012 at 3:11 pm
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Really good! And so true, the world would be a wonderful place if you were in charge ;)
ChobaniLuvinPenguin PLATINUM said...
on Oct. 31 2012 at 5:24 pm
ChobaniLuvinPenguin PLATINUM, Brooklyn, New York
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Jessica, your poem is so touching! It is truly beautiful, especially the last part that begins with "I would find a way to make it easier"! The poem is so unique and thoughtful, and it will stay with me forever. Thank you for contributing this to TeenInk! Keep writing!!!!
. said...
on Oct. 26 2012 at 7:47 pm
I like the reference to Archimedies, it's very creative.
MSBCBB said...
on Oct. 26 2012 at 10:17 am
MSBCBB, Goose Creek, South Carolina
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The only line that gave me joy was, "There would be no books of poems with the  last page missing...". 
MSBCBB said...
on Oct. 26 2012 at 10:17 am
MSBCBB, Goose Creek, South Carolina
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The only line that gave me joy was, "There would be no books of poems with the  last page missing...". 
MarieAntoinette2014 DIAMOND said...
on Sep. 24 2012 at 11:15 am
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Whoa!!! I like this poem to but easy on Yates, my friend.
k8husted PLATINUM said...
on Aug. 21 2012 at 3:32 pm
k8husted PLATINUM, Central Point, Oregon
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Put the link up then cause no one believes you.
k8husted PLATINUM said...
on Aug. 21 2012 at 3:30 pm
k8husted PLATINUM, Central Point, Oregon
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OMG! Think about it, common sense says that someone else had the idea first and he was giving then credit!. goodness