I'm so proud of the writing my incarcerated teens did with me that I decided to share some of it for Poetry Friday. You can read more about sessions here.
Below are just a few of my favorites from what they did in 10 sessions of us working together. Because they are incarcerated I can't post their names.
Don’t know why nothing goes right.
I try. I try. I try.
But it’s like one of the three little pigs . . .
Devil is the wolf.
I build.
It gets blown down every time.
* * *
I remember the day I would never forget
I remember it like it was yesterday
I remember something I would never get and never say ‘cause I’m not strong enough yet,
but still I stand.
* * *
How Do I Love Thee?
I appreciate what you do for me.
I will always care for you.
I’m grateful to have you in my life.
I’ll always respect you.
I will try to understand you.
Listening to you will be my first priority.
* * *
I remember when I was little and got raped without my consent.
I remember I hurt and I passed out.
I remember I was scared to get hurt.
I remember it went by slow.
I remember. I remember. I remember.
* * *
Resurrection
Looks like a new life, but not for me
* * *
I am a father, a son.
I wonder what life has in store for me.
I hear my family telling me to do good.
I see my son graduating.
I want to be free.
I am a father, a son.
I pretend to hold my son in my arms.
I feel hopeful.
I touch people with my words and make them believe in me.
I worry for my family’s safety.
I cry when I see my son cry for his daddy.
I am a father, a son.
I understand that it is up to me to change.
I say it is time for a change.
I dream the outs and being with my son.
I try to show my son I’m not a failure.
I hope to be home soon.
I am a father, a son.
* * *
Something I can share most people won’t bare
The staff or teacher will say don’t go there
Something I can share some people in here won’t care
They think they know it all inside and out there
Something I can share me I guess
I have a lot to say but some ain’t the best
Something I can share is my family with you
You’ll beat them til their face turns blue
I’m sharing right now my feelings with you
I’m not trying to talk down but I gotta
Let it out and if I can’t do it like this
Then someone please tell me how
Lee Wind has the Poetry Round-up today.
There are so many stories only you can tell.Tell them, please.
Comments
I think my favorite is the sixth poem (I am a father, a son). It seems to stand out a lot to me and the emotions it portrays are fabulous.
- Anne McKenna