Hearing Voices:

No more excuses for how my life has been going. No more living a fast life, time to slow down. No more taking things for granted. No more blaming instead it’s time to take responsibility. No more loneliness, emptiness, hatred toward everything, almost everyone. No more hiding my emptiness under the mask that shows I’m problem-free, time to come down to earth and realize we all make mistakes, and it’s what we do with it that molds us into men. No more leaving, hurting, and betraying the ones who really care, for the streets that has no heart. No more living to die, existing, not caring about tomorrow. No more grudges or trying to prove I am what really not. No more dong just enough to get by. No more thinking I know everything when reality is I’m no different from the next man, no better, no worse, equal. No more playing dice with the devil, putting my freedom and life on the line when I can’t win! No more running from God. No more letting my family down, instead I will lift them up. No more hell, no more cells, no more jail!

Sean W.

Fear of coming so far in life only to go back

Fear of not being heard

Fear of not knowing what my deepest fear is

Fear of holding back so many tears

Fear of losing the ones I love

Fear of losing my life for being a mistaken thug

Fear of being complacent

Fear of racists

Fear of not making it

Fear of my future kids no being close with me

Can’t walk with fear because I have people that believe in me

Fear is good because on my toes I’ll always be

Dennis K.

Youth Care Worker

Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center

Dear Past Self,

It’s only been just over three weeks since some change has been instilled in my life. It’s not life altering, at least yet, but it’s more than I could make at home. The things I’ve dealt with because of you have mainly been negative impacts on me. Whether it be the horrible sleep schedule, you had the power to say no but deciding to say yes, the holes you dug yourself into. It’s been three weeks since I’ve seen you show your face. You still pop into my head sometimes before I go to sleep or when I’m bored in class, or when I get really stressed or anxious. I miss how easily you could manage things. But I’m very glad it’s been three weeks since you’ve been around, it’s giving me time to think properly and hope for the future. When these next five weeks are over, we may see each other again, hopefully we don’t, but only time will tell.

Lucas

To the Streets,

I know what you are. And I know what you do. I know what you’ve done. I can never forgive you for taking so many people I loved. You have no regrets, and you continue to look for your next victim. You watch people bleed out, fight, get stabbed, shot, the unexplainable. When everybody doesn’t know what happened to that one boy who died, you do. You are the withholder of secrets you dare not tell. You consume and let people assume. You are home to the ones who don’t have anywhere to go, and you make way for drugs, trafficking, violence. You lure the ones who had no idea what you are like. You hold the people I love, and they sadly fell into your ugly world of lies. I run you from time to time, and you are my comfort zone. But, listen here, I never did and never will let you take me like you did my friends and family. They always say to forgive and forget. I will one day forget you, but never EVER will forgive you for your clever, manipulative ways.

Shylah

I wanna forgive my enemies for the bullets that just missed me, for the wounds I already have on my body. Mornings I grabbed my gun before eating or taking a shower from still being in survival mode from the past night. Thoughts I may not be there to take care of my little brother. I forgive you.

I have to forgive myself for contributing to the violence without thinking twice. For the mothers and brothers, sisters and uncles I may have made cry. I forgive myself for not valuing my life, as well as my enemies. I forgive myself for not loving my neighbor.

Instead of peace, we caused pain.

Instead of love, we spread hate.

I do forgive you even though most times I didn’t see who was shooting at me or who had stabbed me or who killed my homies, but I’m forgiving enough to do so. But, I will never forget.

Nahkeem

Being right here, right now is teaching me how to be a bigger man, How to not steal, cheat and lie. How to be open and honest with others. To be reliable and caring. Right here, right now has saved me from being on the streets, running house to house wondering which one will have the most jewelry. Right here, right now is helping me to remember where I came from. How to not make the same mistakes and how to avoid risky situations. Right here, right now has saved me from dying from addiction. Right here, right now has taught me that only your family is there for you, not your boys. At the end of the day you only have yourself. You came in alone, and you’ll leave alone. Right here, right now has taught me how to choose a better way to live instead of going from placement to placement, jail to jail, rehab to rehab. Tired of being controlled by others. Right here, right now has helped me to understand that this way of life isn’t what I want. I have more to live for, and another breath to take.

Steven S.

I want to remember the things that make me who I am today.

I want to remember that I am a strong man and that anything is possible.

I want to remember that anyone I cross paths with in my life, I want them to know they are cared for and loved.

I want to remember the many young men I encountered in my life, that they can get through any adversity because I am living proof.

I want to remember those people who paved the way for me to be who I am.

I want to remember that I would not be who I am without learning from people’s life mistakes.

I want to remember that I have a purpose in this life to inspire others so that they see their potential.

I want to remember that you can’t be afraid to make mistakes and that those mistakes you learn from can make you a better man.

Calvert G.

I regret a lot of things in my life. I am sometimes confronted with the thoughts of the past in my head, but I know I can’t go back in time. So I have to make the most out of what has happened, so I can make the best out of what comes next. For all the times I have failed, it will mean that much more when I succeed. For all the times I have hurt people with my choices, I will make choices that bring good into the world. For all the times I loved carelessly or not enough, I will love carefully with all of me. I will not look back in anger at the regrets of the little bit of life I have lived but look forward to all the experiences I will go on to live.

Maxwell R.

Dear Past,

It has been some time since we closed the chapter on the things we regretted. We have come a long way. But, I‘m disappointed that you thought things that were possible weren’t achievable. I’m disappointed that you thought we would never amount to anything. The only thing I could give you props for is your determination, but you wasted time closing doors instead of opening them. I’m disappointed you gave up. I’m disappointed that you went down the wrong path when the best people were anxiously waiting for your arrival. I’m disappointed that you got lazy, that you gave up. If only you knew what we accomplished. Yes. Some of it wasn’t your fault. But, it was also your responsibility to move out of there, to move away from that. I’m angry at all the opportunity you could have taken. All the disrespect you did and said. Everything you tried to ruin for us. The way you tried to destroy and kill this body makes me sick of you, and if you saw the things I’ve done now, the things I know you wouldn’t like. The insecurity on your face I can see. But, it doesn’t matter. I don’t care what you think because I’m burying you for good. I can’t have you dragging me down through this battle. I don’t have time for you. Your path foes through nowhere and ends nowhere. My path is going through hell and will end in peace. You are no longer the follower. I am the leader.

Jose D.

Right here, right now I’m learning to count my blessings and not my hardships

Right here, right now I’m learning why Allah has done certain things in my life

Right here, right now I’m learning to be slow to anger

Right here, right now I’m learning to be a better role model

Right here, right now I’m working on my road to success

Right here, right now I’m bettering myself so my family can finally get some rest

Right here, right now I’m learning to be a better father

Right here, right now all I want to do is play with my daughter

Right here, right now I’m working towards going home

Right here, right now I ask to be humbled

W.F.

I was raised by a mom that cared more about her ego than the well being of her son. I was raised mostly by my friends. I was raised no knowing right from wrong until I turned 15. I was raised by the ones I thought were good role models but were really not. By the one who said she loved me but left me feeling abandoned. I was raised feeling unwanted and worthless. I was raised to do what is asked. I was raised waiting for mom to care and dad to come back.

J.S. (age 17)

I was raised by the streets. No rules or guidance to the right thing. I was raised if you see the cops, you better run. I was raised by the sound of a gun. I was raised where there was no fun except running the streets at night til you finally see the sun. I’m too young to be dumb. I have to change my ways before I get shot by a gun. I’m going to change!

Jayquan (age 12)

I was raised by drugs. I was raised by homeless thugs. I was raised by a woman so bright. I was raised to fight. I was raised by street lights so bright.

I was raised on the streets. I was raised to check my speech. I was raised with violence on the New York streets. I was raised to always get back up on my feet.

I was raised with respect, but I was also raised with neglect. I was raised with a father never there, and I was raised to always care.

I was raised with hope, and I was raised to cope. I was raised to be myself, but I was always raised to not focus on myself.

Jay L.

I want people to know that the charges I have do not define me, that beneath all of the anger and depression is the same little kid who doesn’t want to live like a criminal. I want people to know that I’m not a delinquent, and I’m too intelligent for that. I want people to know I’m not a monster, no matter what the district attorney says. I want people to know that I have emotions other than anger or hate. I want people to know that I feel pain when my mother is crying in that courtroom because she knows the real me and knows that I wasn’t raised like a criminal. She wants the best for me. I want people to know that I learned from mistakes and that I have a human heart and not some kind of rock. I want people to know that when all of this is over, I’m never going through this again. I want people to know that I’m a loving child. I want people to know that tears I shed in here are my hurt and pain.

Q.H.

Don’t lose yourself to the game again.

Don’t let all your progress be wasted.

Don’t allow your grandmother’s death to be yours again.

Don’t give in to what wants you back so badly.

Don’t let greed consume you.

Don’t let drugs control you anymore.

Don’t throw away the potential.

Don’t throw away your dreams.

Don’t let the shitty things in life break you.

Don’t let the good things in life be taken for granted.

Don’t forget how to live.

Don’t forget how to have fun.

Don’t forget how to love.

And especially, don’t forget your pain.

Don’t lose your humor.

Don’t lose your kindness.

Don’t let your past mold your future.

Don’t forget about your past.

Don’t forget the struggle, the fear, the hunger, or the worry. Let it give you strength.

Don’t forget the women who loved you so, so much.

Don’t forget the things she taught you.

Don’t forget all the loved ones who are no longer here.

Don’t forget the bullet that killed your cousin.

Don’t forget the drugs that controlled your mother for so long.

Don’t forget all those horrible things that were out of your control.

Instead, let them help you. Help you remember how cold life can be. Help you know that no matter how hard it gets, it can and will get better if you let it.

Don’t forget who you are, Stone.

Be happy, love, have fun, and live the life you were given.

Honor your loved ones who still live and the ones who no longer do.

Remember how happy and joyful life can be. Live for you and what makes you happy, Stone.

Don’t forget, Stone, please don’t forget.

Stone B.

Do not say if you are second guessing yourself.

Do say a lot when it comes to bettering yourself.

Do not give your love to someone who doesn’t deserve it.

Do give it to someone who has shown you they do.

Do not contradict yourself; say what you mean and mean what you say.

Do not give them a reason to doubt you.

Do continue to push yourself!

Do not let anyone or anything come in the way of what you want to achieve.

Do try your best.

Do not give up when it gets hard.

Do right your wrongs.

Do not hold anyone’s wrongs against them.

Do forgive yourself.

Do not let your past hold you down.

Do shed tears when you have to.

Do not put up a wall.

Do let people help.

Do not push good people away.

Do take care of yourself.

Do not demand anyone take care of you.

Do help the struggling.

Do not forget when you were struggling.

Do focus on the good.

Do not let the bad overpower you.

Do reach high.

Do not reach for the “other” high.

Do show yourself your worth and know it is priceless!

A.V.

Don’t be the dad that’s never there. When she looks at old pictures, she doesn’t see her dad. When she goes to school, kids ask her about you, but she knows little to nothing about you. Don’t be that guy who all his life revolves around gangbanging cause when it comes down to it, that ain’t gonna be what puts your little girl through school. Don’t be that guy at 30 – 35 years old trying to still keep with the times, selling drugs on a corner, rolling up seeing who’s trying to throw 5 or even telling younger kids what they should or should not do. Live by example. Think about this: Ain’t it ironic how you did your baby’s mother? How you treat these females? But now that you got a daughter, would you want anybody to do half of what you do to her?

Don’t be the guy who used their mom’s death as an excuse to do wrong instead of right. When she was here, you were doing alright. Now that she’s gone, what, you lost everything she taught you? Be the man you want your daughter to look for, cause when she brings a you home, you gonna be stuck looking in the mirror.

So, don’t forget: Don’t be your dad. You despise who he is, but he is who you are most becoming. Like funny how a sober mind brings those subconscious thoughts that you locked away to the light. Make this the first and last birthday of hers you are gone for.

Antwon

I want you to know I’m not just a criminal.

I want you to know I’m not all about myself.

I want you to know I have a good heart.

I want you to know the streets is not my only future.

I want you to know I can do it.

I want you to know if I got it, I’ll give.

I want you to know I’m not just about the money, guns, and drugs.

I want you to know I wasn’t raised how it seems.

I turned myself this way.

I want you to know my past is not my present.

I want you to know I will change one day.

I want you to know I care about my family and real friends.

I want you to know I try.

I want you to know you can do as much as I, even better.

I want you to know I have support.

I want you to know I have loyalty.

I want you to know you’re a good person.

I want you to know I don’t wanna be behind bars my whole life.

I want you to know don’t let no one tell you different than what you know.

I want you to know someone is always watching.

I want you to know there is consequences for everything.

F.B.

I give myself permission to let go of the past.

I give myself permission to stop worrying so much.

I give myself permission to change my ways.

I give myself permission to accept the things I cannot change.

I give myself permission to feel the way I want to feel.

I give myself permission to not follow my family’s footsteps.

I give myself permission to make the right decisions.

I give myself permission to control my impulses.

I give myself permission to feel others’ pain.

I give myself permission to graduate.

I give myself permission to love myself first.

I give myself permission to overcome my trauma.

I give myself permission to set an example for future kids.

I give myself permission to no let people judge me or take advantage of me.

Heather

I give myself permission to speak up to what I feel is right

I give myself permission to feel guilt for the things I’ve done

I give myself permission to stand up and overcome

I give myself permission to have faith and love God

I give myself permission to move on from everyone who is now gone

I give myself permission to love those who love me

I give myself permission to just break free and flee

I give myself permission to make up to my mother everything she has done for me

I give myself permission to not feel petty for those who doubted me

I give myself permission to forgive but not forget

I give myself permission to not neglect those in need

I give myself permission to open myself not only to nature but to the wind that blows the trees

I give myself permission to feel better about things

I give myself permission to fall in love with all new things

Aishah

I give myself permission to move on from friends who didn’t really care about me

I give myself permission to keep positive and happy

I give myself permission to let go of negativity

I give myself permission to stand up for what’s right no matter the cost

I give myself permission to feel guilt for the one’s I hurt

I give myself permission to love myself instead of hate

I give myself permission to be me

I give myself permission to let go of the pain of the past

I give myself permission to forgive but not forget

I give myself permission to cry and let out my emotions

I give myself permission to be unique

I give myself permission to love my loved ones and care

Tori

I give myself permission to feel stressed about the stupid things I did to myself

I give myself permission to ignore my negative thoughts

I give myself permission to forgive and forget

I give myself permission to follow my dreams instead of what people want me to be

I give myself permission to be who I wanna be

I give myself permission to stick up for the good and not evil

I give myself permission to love instead of hate

I give myself permission to be angry for showing my siblings negative actions

I give myself permission to apologize to my friends and family

I give myself permission to be disappointed in letting the cold and damp streets I called home take over me

I give myself permission to go looking for the help I want and need

I give myself permission to speak up for myself

I give myself permission to feel disappointed in myself for wasting good family time

I give myself permission to take care of my siblings when my mom’s not there

I give myself permission to share my story for the good

Jay L.

I give myself permission to move on from what I’m stuck on.

I give myself permission to do better for my family and myself.

I give myself permission to stop isolating myself from my family.

I give myself permission to stop going back to people who don’t care or only care what I can do for them.

I give myself permission to feel my feelings and stop trying to bury my thoughts and feelings to the point where I explode.

I give myself permission I give myself permission to live the life my best friend couldn’t.

I give myself permission to trust the people trying to help me and this paper to speak on my hurt and feelings, so I can get through the things in my mind.

Michael

I give myself permission to not have to put something up my nose.

I give myself permission to be vulnerable and cry.

I give myself permission to forgive myself for all the things I’ve done to the people I love.

I give myself permission to love and remember my dad.

I give myself permission to feel guilt and shame for using around my nieces and nephews.

I give myself permission to learn how to be a great father.

I give myself permission to be ashamed of picking drugs over the love of my life and my kids.

I give myself permission to live life without drugs.

I give myself permission to learn how to be a positive role model for my kids and nieces and nephews.

I give myself permission learn how to be a mand and take care of his family.

I give myself permission to show everyone that I can live clean and sober.

T.M.

I give myself permission to cry about those I lost to gun violence instead of holding it inside.

I give myself permission to release the thoughts of anger and guilt I have.

I give myself permission to have new friends without thinking they may lose their lives.

I give myself permission to forgive myself for the pain I caused others.

I give myself permission to love my daughter more than I have in my past.

I give myself permission to stop the drinking and release my negative thoughts.

I give myself permission to love everyone for who they are.

I give myself permission to let God take control of my life.

I give myself permission to let myself be me again.

EJ G

I cried when my cousin got killed.

There is still a void that never got filled.

The it seemed like the murders kept coming.

All of this pain just so numbing.

So I picked up the bottle to numb all my pain.

Seemed like intoxication was my middle name.

I realize now I’ll never be the same.

When I sleep wicked dreams fill my brain.

I wish I was sane. I wish I was okay.

I danced with the devil, but

today I say no way!

EJ G

4 walls & it’s dark, 1hr to let the dog out

Chow time, let the block out

Phone calls get timed out

Heart hurt, stomach turnt

Street life, be life

Kids in da system, no wife

Did dope, sniffed coke

Grew up with no life

Did fetty. Turnt petty

Tattoos, Pick & Pokes

Didn’t listen. Didn’t hear

13, 1st beer

31, in here

Gun life, no safety

Gang wars end deadly

God came on time

I cried every time

--BUT--

I’m alive cause it’s my time!

Sayon

I cry about my pain.

I cry about my past.

I cry cause of my lost loved one.

I cry about how angry I am about what happened when I was young.

I cry about my actions.

I cry about how the judge sees me on paper, but not who I really am.

I cry cause where I’m @ in life.

I cry cause all I ever wanted was for my parents to love me.

I cry every day.

I cry myself to sleep.

I cry cause I know someday I am going to be something bid even though everybody doubts me.

I cry cause of what people see on the outside.

I cry cause I want to be loved but I’m not.

I cry cause I’m at my breaking point.

I cry cause I cry.

TP

People might say I’m a rude or disrespectful person but I’m really not. Under all that rudeness and toughness, is a person who cares. Way more than they are supposed to. I am a person who puts everyone before myself. People judge me from my past but they don’t know I changed a lot, when people look at me they see a girl who is disrespectful, loud, annoying , and dumb. But they don’t know the real me because they don’t want to because they judge me before they even get to know me. But I’m pretty used to it because when they do see or get to know the real me they leave or it’s just too much for them. So that’s why they think ima rude or annoying person because I care or don’t wanna get hurt.

AMB

To Whom It May Concern,

This is my resignation letter to my subconscious self who is constantly doubting ME and putting me in a position where I procrastinate and put myself down in multiple areas in my life. You have no right to take over my conscious. I have had enough. This has been going on for way too long. I haven’t felt this way in such a long time, and thought that these feelings would never come back. Some part of me always knew some bits of these feelings would appear in fragments, but never all at once, and certainly not for this long. I tried to quit from this never ending cycle before but quitting isn’t seeming to work for me. I can feel my soul trying to shift to a new paradigm away from your negativity. Somewhere deep inside of me is telling me that quitting is never going to work, because you are like a toxic ex that you will always go back to because you think you’re in love, even though somewhere in you knows its hopeless and will never work out. Im starting to see the light. There is a new voice speaking, whispering almost. When i finally understood what it was saying, i felt warm. So i’m going to listen to it, and FIRE you from my life, instead of resigning. Resigning means that you are in control. This is me taking control. I am finally learning that I need to take back control of my life, and there is no room for someone like you.

Andrew S.

To Whom It May Concern,

I’m done working for addiction to cope with my anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses. I’ve grown quite tired of the b.s. that’s involved with this job. Although they felt like the best years of my life, I’ve now realized that, in fact, I will never be able to feel as happy as I did when I first applied. It’s been a pleasure, but I want to start a new career that includes me fixing the problems I’ve dealt with, and I believe I can do better at a new company. It was sometimes fun, but it will no longer be my job because I’ve gotten better offerings. You worked me til I had nothing left for you.

Love, Gage

To Whom It May Concern,

I am hereby resigning from Not Giving a F**K! It is time I switch positions to a company where I am motivated to care about my future and where I will be successful.

I have a daughter on the way, and the pay I get from this position is not enough to support me or her, and the new position I have taken means a lot to me. I feel it will get me farther than broken, broke, and away from home. This new position has fewer hours, which will let me be there for my daughter instead of away 24/7. I have had a lot of good times working this position, but it is time to step up and find a better one.

Sincerely,

A.C.

I fear I won’t make it in life.

I fear seeing my bro’s die again.

I fear seeing my pops or moms dead even though I don’t talk to my pops.

I fear losing my sisters.

I fear coming back to the system.

I fear being on the streets.

I fear letting my impulsiveness get the best of me.

I fear dying with nothing to give.

I fear hearing gun shots.

I fear seeing my mom get beat.

I fear getting addicted to drugs.

I fear od’ing off pills.

I fear this cold world.

I fear slimy folk.

I fear having to live looking over my shoulder.

I fear hearing my mom scream at night.

I fear one of my nightmares become true.

I fear being careless in this world.

I fear giving up!

SJ (Age 14)

I forgive myself for making myself endure the struggles I go through.

I forgive all of the people who doubted that I would ever reach my dreams because I would hate to be on the losing team.

I forgive my parents for giving me a skewed idea on how the world works and making me think I can solve all my problems with pills.

I forgive the streets for saying they would give me a place to confide, but really they were giving me a place to lay down and die.

I forgive them, but

I hope that they forgive me…

I hope my family forgives me for putting

them through as much stress as I put myself through.

I hope that everyone who has looked up to me or saw potential in me

Finds a ways to forgive me, because I know I let you down

Too many times to count.

Jay R. (Age 18)

Dear Mom,

I forgive you for everything. I forgive you for leaving me to take care of your four other kids while you were either locked in your room or out for weeks, and I’m sorry for saying I hated you every time you were getting ready to leave. I forgive you for everything. None of the past matters because today I have my beautiful, loving, and caring mother back. It also doesn’t matter because it made me the strong person I am today.

JG

I’m sick of always getting taken away

I’m sick of not getting to be there with my family

I’m sick of always getting taken away from my daughter

I’m sick of always having to piss in a cup

I’m sick of not having my freedom

I’m sick of being locked up

I’m sick of not getting be there for all the people

that need me

I’m sick of always missing important things in life that I need to be there for

I’m sick of being tired

Nate (Age 17)

I'm waiting for my escape from this bubble. The bubble that is run by college students 9 months out of the year. The bubble of privilege, and university coverups that litter the town's history. The bubble in which families find peace in the safety of the area but can also grow to lose some touch with reality. The bubble that makes some people feel they can do whatever they want and get away with it.

I'm waiting for new opportunities. Opportunities that are not available in this bubble, ones to help grow myself and detach myself from the way of living in the bubble. Ones that I can genuinely say I'm happy with, and not just be okay with what I have here.

I'm waiting for days that aren't exactly the same. Something that isn't so predictable, something interesting, something that makes me excited to wake up in the morning.

I can't wait for the day I depart this bubble, bringing the good things with me and leaving the bad behind. Starting a new journey where I don't feel held back, where I have more options and ways to go about following my path.

LH

i fear this relationship won’t last

i fear you’ll leave after the adrenaline rush

i fear you don’t love me the way i love you

i fear you have ulterior motives

i fear letting you see my soul

i fear being judged for being with you

fear of love

fear of loneliness

i fear nothing but also everything

i fear i won’t make it this time

i fear my recovery crumbling

i fear you might lead me to another relapse

i fear i’m not good enough for you

i fear getting attached to your soul

i fear my positive emotions

i fear having no feelings

i fear you’ll take my heart a little too soon

but by then it will be too late

Ana T.

Age 20

2023

If you really feel compelled to show me that you care

It's not my forte but you could maybe say a prayer

A few simple wishes from the fallen rhyme sayer

Ask him to shine some light at the end of the despair

If we really had to enter life different in some way

Yet we're all so similar were just afraid to say

Memories of simple times before recession had its way

When we used to call it recess and all we did was play

If you were born into this life the same way as me

You probably grew up feeling different like me

Got up every day closer to your destiny

But did you really want to be the same as me

If we were all the same would it be a better place

Same name, same game, same handsome face

Like the same colors... had the same tastes or

Would it just give us a sense of distaste

If the world was like that all of the time

Then we'd all be standing at the back of the line

Just waiting to die when you know it's your time

A man afraid of death dies a thousand times

If I don't go for mine will I ever get it

If never chase my dream would I just forget it

If I never had a dream how I know I made it

SO WHEN THEY SEE MY DREAMS WHY DO THEY PLAYER HATE IT?

Nevin M.

addiction, like a gripping vice, lures me in, with no advice.

it whispers lies, and takes control, leaves me empty, with no soul.

i try to resist, to break free, but it always finds a way back to me.

its hold is strong, i can't let go, it's like a never-ending, relentless flow.

i chase the high, the temporary bliss, but it's a cycle i can never dismiss.

i long for freedom, for a life without chains, but addiction, always remains.

i pray for strength, a way to break free, to find hope and peace, to finally see.

but for now, i'm trapped in this endless fight, addiction's grip, holds me tight.

Ana T. (Age 20)

2024

"Precipice"

Here I stand,
Finally,
Sure of foot and stance strong.
Peering down on a rest of days to come.
A precipice;
My precipice.
Inhale.
The air surrounding me frozen with anticipation,
My own baited breath held long in my lungs.
My next move trepidatiously awaited.
No fear of failure,
No faltering now.
Exhale.
I deserve this.
I take the step.
My precipice is behind me now.

Anastasia F.

2024