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Urban Teens' Poetry Expresses Yearning and Hope

Children's Aid teens express themselves through verse.

Following are poems by youth in different programs at Children’s Aid. Please scroll down to read all of them. The first are two poems originally presented to great acclaim at the Children's Art Show at the National Arts Club in March.

My Life Will Soon Be Free
By: Alberto P., 16
City Challenge

As I lie on my bed thinking of shame and also about me.
I say to myself with so much pain my life will soon be free.
I get up from bed and walk to the kitchen to see what I could find.
I go through so much pain as I start to cry.
I grab the bottle, open the cap and take at least two or three.
I'm back to my room and feel that my body is so weak.
As I lie on the bed I feel like I'm tired about to go to sleep.
Have to keep my eyes open. It's not time for me to leave.
I regret what I did. I thought about life.
I could have been a good father with a lovely wife.


I Am 16...
By: Ronald R., 16
City Challenge
I am 16
But suffering
Has made me age
Suffering who
Does things
To his victim
That I dare
Not write on page
The kind of suffering
That can scar you
For life
That can make
A bigot
Out of someone
Who is nice.
But nevertheless
I continue to smile
And organize
Words like
Chaos and wild.

These two poems were written by youth in StageWrite, a DYCD-funded pilot, theater-based literacy program. The students work with both theatre professionals and DoE-certified literacy teachers. These poems are by sixth grade students at the Mirabal Sisters Campus in Washington Heights.

Where I'm From
By Nega Solomon

I am from computers, from Dell and Compaq.
I'm from a bed in my bedroom corner, hard and big and soft.
I'm from banana trees, long and green.
I'm from dinner every night, and my family at the dining table eating quietly, from Solomon and Lemlem, and Delyt.
I am from my dad saying, "Nega, your little sister is crying. Can you talk with your sister to stop crying", and "Thank you, Nega".
I am from going to church every Sunday, and in church I sing, and I have a crucifix in my home, any my grandmother gave me the crucifix.
I am from Eritrea. In Eritrea I ate a lot of whole wheat.
I'm from the day my dad and mom said, "Let's go to the zoo". Then my family was so happy. In the zoo I saw a tiger, and a lion, and a hyena…then we went home. At home I took a shower, then I ate, then I read, then I watched TV for 60 minutes, and then went to sleep.
I am from that picture on the wall. This picture is my dad's picture because my dad is the biggest in my family. And I am from a big crucifix in my bedroom that my grandmother gave to me.


Where I'm From
By Ashley De Los Santos

I am from Santo Domingo. I am from reading in school and at home. I am from English in the morning and Spanish in the afternoon.
I am from sleeping in class and at home. I am from playing tennis in D.R. I am from swimming in D.R. too. I am from dancing belly dance in D.R.
I am from Chinese food in the afternoon and from Patelito in the morning. I am from hot chocolate in the winter. I am from Rabo and Arroz Bianco when I get home.
I am from my mom telling me what to do. I am from my dad keeping happy. I am from my sisters telling me what to do, from my nephew crying all night and my grandmother not laughing.

These collaboratively written poems are from the Spring Retreat of the Hope Leadership Academy.

Leadership (I & II)
By Samirah Sanders, Eric Means, Carl Irby, Torino Washington, Samantha Bynes, Jenisha Bradford, Sakia Mitchell, Dorayla Padilla, Kareem Winters, Molissha McRae, Devon Ferrer, Jeanette Green

Leadership is power,
Leadership is respect.
It is also dedication, commitment, motivation, and responsibility.
Leadership is determination and support.
Leadership is effort and strength.
It is a haven.
Leadership is loyalty, trustworthy.
It is ability.
Leadership is fearless yet honorable.
Leadership is powerful!
Leadership.


Leadership (III & IV)
By Shanell Banton, Tyler Coleman, John Exorphe, Tina Hooks, Teddy Mejia, Octavia Merritt, Quandasia Wilson, William Legare, Dyanne Guevara, Tashia Burgess, Bamike Ogunrinu, Stanley Dye, Elijah Brown, Kareem Winters

Leadership is guidance,
Leadership is optimistic,
Leadership is compassion.
Leadership is also Malik and Ms. Roper.
Leadership is comfort,
Leadership is honesty,
Leadership is trust.
It is determination.
Leadership can be individual.
Leadership is respectful,
Leadership is power.
Leadership is responsibility, ownership, boss.
Leadership is faith, loyalty, inspiration.
Leadership is followed,
Leadership is umoja!
Leadership.