1 Free Verse Staff With Great Appreciation NYC Department of Probation Editor-in-Chief Commissioner: Ana M. Bermudez Dave Johnson Praise Managing Editor South Bronx Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) Team Brownsville Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) Team Lonni Tanner Brooklyn 345 Café of Opportunities, NYC Department of Probation Office of Public Imagination Fellow, NYC Department of Probation Hats Off Writing Apprentices Tyiece Barclay, Cheryl Brown, Yahira Castillo, Ayanna Cole, June Cooley, Marlita Dalton, Brenda Davis, Sharun Goodwin, Ann Gregg, Rhonda Yoelin Gomez Hughes, Paul Leufroy, Zelzah Martin, Catrina Prioleau, Esteban Rivera, Napoleon Felipe Michelle Rugel, Angel Ruiz, Cindy Ruiz, Tim Salyer, Antoine Sherman, Taqiy Witter Jasmin Sims, Rodney Smith, Aline Vartanian G.W. S.B. Kindness HaloTheArtist La La Akbar Poets House Markcus Santana Ira Allen Applause Tahara Lilly Funding for NeON Arts is provided by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Devonte Rhodes and The Pinkerton Foundation, through grants to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. Public support is provided by Council Member Design Rafael Salamanca and the NYC Center for Economic Opportunity. Delcan & Company
Design Consultant Carin Goldberg
Illustrations Pablo Delcan (Cover, pp. 1, 6, 31, 50, 80, 85) Na Son (p. 11) Joan Wong (pp. 16, 71) Join Us! Jan Buchczik (pp. 26, 43) Carla Cascales (pp. 37, 56) For more information about Free Verse writing workshops, Braulio Amado (p. 64) public readings, and programmatic materials, write to: [email protected].
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Printer: Linco Printing You got a poem for me? Nine hundred and ninety-seven poets P2 Thing S.B. P3 Mama Sings Yasmine Lancaster P4 If you forget me, I want you to know Napoleon Felipe Too Much Takima Nicholson My mind is cluttered with stuff right now: Nyketa Palmer P5 Sentenced Dariani Serrano P7 Tell Me (997!) answered that call in New York City Probation center Your Secrets Anesia Nurse Mama Knows Best/Mamma Lo Sa Devonte Rhodes/Kairos Italy Theatre P8 Destroy and waiting rooms this year. Rebuild Emily Alvarez We meet Cheryl Brown It’s 5:30 pm Margaret Barillas P9 Think Twice Rashad Camacho P10 What I Do Know Uneeka Baisden Listen to Me, Escuchame Roberto Martinez Poet in the Bronx Joel Gutierrez P12 Clients, staff, friends, family, neighbors, security guards and Damn, mom, Ira Allen P13 Refuse Chastity Rolle In the night Chastity Rolle Fare Jump Jonathan Antonio My sister seasoned, local poets come to our free weekly writing classes, never forgave Jonathan Syphax Butt Phat Jonathan Syphax P14 FROM THE HOOD 2 MANHOOD Abdul Malik P15 Gomorrah Bx/Gomorra Bx G.W./Massimo Garritano P17 How could I Franze Williams Lafayette Gardens Gerald spoken word afternoons, translation events, story exchanges Anderson P18 Un-Happy Valentine’s Day! Jodeci Lot Scholanda Miller Wedding Nights Yasmine Lancaster Babylon and to birth their first books. And we have a jobs component too. System Taqiy Witter P19 There’s no beauty, Jache Borden nowhere Darnell Underwood I am writing to keep me Jason Mason P20 Now and Later Devonte Andrews Midnight on the Corner of Adams and Smith Devonte Andrews Put away Many clients come when they don’t even have to report. Not your the gun. Michael Gomez P21 Baby La La P22 Life Sharon Paul That somebody who I miss, Kawan Bell The Twenty- typical Probation center, right? That’s the point. Third Pound Sir George W. Williams P23 What would I do Miguel Gonzalez Lies Isaiah Ellis I wish you to Carlos Delgado P24 Dishwashing at Dallas BBQ on Flatbush Rodney Turner P25 Poetry Pimp La La Akbar P27 Declaration of Free Verse magazine is just one outcome of our work. This Questions LaShawn Wilkerson Pardon Me Napoleon Felipe P28 Develop a Life, Not a Page Antoine Sherman P29 Story is our fifth issue. In these pages, you’ll hear a range of voices Number One Ismael Pereyra Ms. Fish Hooked Them Zahura Akter P30 For success, David Jones Why Ricky Harris Empty Apology Abdul Malik P32 Lost Son Jonathan Syphax P33 Money is the root Joseph Nacmias Soul to Soul Poetry and perspectives – and there’s no hierarchy here, no job titles. LaLisa Reid P34 Word to Your Mother Kiing Chef Beauty D.P. Jonathan Q. & Mom When my brother Amayrance Everyone is equal. What might seem like a poem by a client’s Crescente Last night I woke up Elandis Kelley P35 Midnight on 95th Johnelle Hinton P36 Why I Write Poetry Deja Jones NYNY Ingrid Raysor Honey, Cheryl Brown Secrets James Jones P38 A Bird’s Motherless Thoughts Cheryl Brown P39 mom might be that of a Probation Officer. What might seem like Men Victoria Sanusi Homecoming D’Nell Fairman Campbell Daytime, Sunday, Forest Hills, Queens Courtney Cross a poem by a Probation Officer could be written by a client. Some P40 Poems and Championship Jackets Sean Bentley P41 Hialeah G.W. P42 Dear Madeleine, Guyto Chery P44 On the Streets of Not Knowing Scholanda Miller P45 Jail is Not Where It’s At Rodney Turner P46 You know Jennian Joseph P47 Fear poems are hopeful, some are filled with regret, and some are Nicholas Patterson Espresso Melissa Perez All Lives Should Matter Geneva Elmore P48 Spring’s Emotions Markcus tough and don’t go down easy. But neither do these poets. They Santana Montego Bay Ingrid Raysor Love, Armani Miller P49 Libertad/Freedom Telly Santos P51 Different Dekuan Richardson 12 Markcus Santana Black is Beautiful Bruce Kirkland Tree Paradox Omar Moevete P52 Lost Love are survivors with the grit and courage to move forward. Amanda Heinz P53 Edgewater Crew G.W. Love, Maybe/Amor Tal Vez Yoelin Gomez P54 The Chocolate You Can’t To every contributor and every reader of Free Verse, you will Throw Away Deja Jones P55 Por el rio Yonathan Gonazalez/Dave Johnson P57 Valorar El Amor/Love Appreciated Jose Balbuena/Raul Carrasquillo Jr. me, you, daddy, and baby boo D.P. Melo in the Making Desmond Martinez P58 Your always have a safe space to be heard here – and we’re listening. Voice Elizabeth Saxton Haiku (translation of Basho) G.W. It’s April, Oliva Troy Good Time for Paris Katrina Harris P59 G-Money, 2 Mama Gerald Anderson Spiritual Warfare Bruce Kirkland P60 I’m young & I’m black Ira Allen P61 Love, Amanda Peters Home at Last Jah-Keiff Myrick I want to say Abu Tahiru Sillah Kid Thoughts Desmond Martinez — The Editors True Love S.A.R. I’m free Paul Leufroy P62 The Year I Turned 30 Brenda Davis P63 Haungry and Broke!!! Tahara Lilly P65 Dreaming Esteban Rivera P66 Question Erica Abel 4pm Jesus Jimenez Victims HaloTheArtist Who Will Cherish
Me Now? Cherish Cupid P67 You Anonymous Catfish Story: in Matawan, New Jersey Ingrid Raysor P68 I wish you
DAVE JOHNSON the best. Napoleon Felipe P69 Want Sekou Ali While You Sleep Yasmine Lancaster Her Chastity Rolle Don’t Shoot Editor-In-Chief Stephen Mumford If mama could Antoine Sherman P70 Draw Nicole Goodwin Landlord La La Akbar A Game Yahira
Poet-In-Residence Castillo Bathe J. Bright Jr. P72 Buried Motherhood Zahura Akter P73 Grace Yahira Castillo P74 The Ring Pearl Dickson
P75 If My Mother Wrote Poems Deja Jones P76 The Gap-Toothed Split Nicole Goodwin P77 At the Gun Range D.O. LONNI TANNER Forgiveness Junior Roshane Johnson Smile Kenneth Wilson P78 t a h a r a Tahara Lilly Butterfly Mythology Yoelin Managing Editor Gomez P79 Central Park Man/ Uomo di Central Park Jonathan Syphax/ Kairos Italy Theatre P81 The Rooster Yasmine
Lancaster Guac Ashley Evans Imperfection is Her Beauty S.B. P82 Another early morning coffee Tahara Lilly Oda
a la Cebolla/Ode to the Onion Miguelina Garcia Ode to Money Arabia Francis All Aboard Pearl Dickson P83 Oh, my
God, Pearl Dickson P84 Driving Guyto Chery Patience Michael Gomez Shades John Quiles P86 Change, Tyiece Barclay Thing
I lost the woman that I love to this thing. I lost my childhood to this thing. When I was a kid, I caught my mom in the bathroom giving over her willpower to this thing. I looked at her and said, Mom, please stop! She said, I can’t. You don’t understand, I’m hooked to this thing. The way we were living, this thing had me thinking life was real whacked. Now that I look back, I love my mother but I will always hate the man that created this thing called crack.
S.B.
1 2 Mama Sings If you forget me, I want you to know When the rent is due I added extra sugar When the chicken’s done in your coffee sometimes when you sent me out in the mornings. When papa comes home after being gone NAPOLEON FELIPE My mind is cluttered with stuff right now: for so long Kids Doctor appointments Financial issues Mama sings Housing Food when the cake rises, after I shut the door Clean water Happiness when the baby sleeps through the night Loneliness when papa comes home after being gone for so long I have so much on me.
Every day I wonder, is it ever going to get better Softly Mama sings... Too Much or end.
when my feet lay flat against my shoes Over and over you’ve apologized. NYKETA PALMER when sister says, God is always on time You’ve even apologized for that time when… Never mind, it doesn’t really matter. They weren’t from your heart. Mama sings They were empty, cold, a poor display of Black Arts. every time Empty apologies burning strong, papa comes home after being gone lifelong, for so long have become your drinking song. TAKIMA NICHOLSON YASMINE LANCASTER
3 4 Sentenced
I walk into my cell and I look in the mirror to watch the door behind me lock it clicks and as the sound moves around it reminds me that I reside in a world that is not my own I steady, try to live my life vicariously through these poems but in this world, this is what happens everything starts stopping and your hope starts dropping so your shit starts slacking and the shit people’s popping makes you forget that you want to go home and what’s it to you when the world that was for you was taken away by you now it passes by you too, so your heart turns cold you forget about love and the words from above and the song of the doves because you are concentratin’ on the I have nowhere to go state of mind, and the kind things you used to do no longer seem to be like you, now your judge thinks these are your true colors and that summer you got arrested, seems like a faraway cloud and now you’re stuck in the now and the why you got sentenced
DARIANI SERRANO
5 6 Tell Me Your Secrets Destroy and Rebuild
Angry like an earthquake. I promise no one hears them but air Love leaks like blood. Murder case never solved.
ANESIA NURSE The heartbreak crime of never letting go. Time ticks while I try to heal on.
EMILY ALVAREZ
Mama Knows Best Mamma Lo Sa We meet
Mama, please love my music. Mamma, per favore amore mio musica. in summer, No, it’s not foolish. No mai è una cosa da patti. on a hot afternoon. I was born to do this. Sono nato per fare questo. My creativity, you La mia creatività, tu We meet at night, don’t notice. Every word has non la comprendi. Ogni parola ha on the edge of darkness. emotion, causing lyrical explosion. emozione provocando esplosione lirica, I’ve chosen to chase my scelto di seguire We meet in morning, dream mission, made il mio sogno. Ho light disappearing. my career decision. deciso cosa fare della vita. Please, just listen. Like Ti prego, ascolta. Come CHERYL BROWN delicious smells in the quando tra gli odore dolce kitchen, you singing della cugina, Mamma canta Yolanda Adams. Yolanda Adams. Mama, your food makes my taste buds Mamma, il tuo cibo si scioglre It’s 5:30 pm melt, cooking for an army in bocca, poi cuccinare per un escerito all by yourself. When you sing e tutto da sola. Quando gridi I hear you for miles. io gli sento a miglia di distanza…..e dici vivo. Adams Street. Devi assolutamente avere Dio Mary is in her office ready to leave for the day. DEVONTE RHODES tra I tuoi preferiti. Io sono nato per perderti Dave walks by and says, Come to poetry. orgoglioso. Mary leaves through the back door.
KAIROS ITALY THEATRE MARGARET BARILLAS ITALIAN TRANSLATION
7 8 Think Twice What I Do Know Poet in the Bronx
Every gangbanger I want you to know one thing. That night he went looking for a poem, wants to be a gangster. Your love means everything. Like he was looking for a home. Everyone wants to make it to the top. You’re tough, He made a plan that he was but it feels like I’m dying. So sure was going to work. They will send their own man out Mom, you have shown me He tattooed it on there you didn’t even know me. But it was His hand. And kept repeating it worth the wait, now I know why As his Master Plan. to die you protected, why you rejected, it was all for me. The courage, the JOEL GUTIERREZ before they go out strength to be me, but with the there honor of you. How to write, how to talk, how to become the themselves. image of you. But the one thing you didn’t teach me They’d rather put their brother’s life at risk was how to live without you. than sit down and tell them, Chill, it’s not worth it. UNEEKA BAISDEN People, I understand in this street life the next day is never promised. That’s what I’m going through right now. I lost my brother to this shit. It hurts. I’ll never see him again, never speak to him again. Listen to Me, Escúchame I look at his kid’s face and know, he won’t see him again. Escúchame, desde el momento que te ví, I just want to cry. me enamoré de tí, eres tan bella como una rosa. Man, this violence has to end. Que te veo, cada Black lives matter. Spanish lives matter. All lives matter. Peri- dia, te quiero mas. od. Before you even think about joining a gang, Listen to me, from the first moment I saw you, think twice, think three times. your beauty was like a rose. Life. Is it worth it? I fell in love with you, each day, I love you more. My brother. Tomorrow will be a week since he got shot five times in the chest. ROBERTO MARTINEZ
RASHAD CAMACHO
9 10 Damn mom,
I’m sorry I really apologize since u left it got messed up and I’m traumatized all the disrespect I did I think and I wonder why all the times u cried u believed me when I lied I prayed to God to switch it up ‘cause u know me I’d rather die than be in a room full of hurt watching all my siblings cry my grandmother aunts my cousins and even I u said it, see u later ‘cause u know it’s never bye ‘cause that’s gone forever, and u had faith that it’d get better but it’s only gonna get better the day we come together in jail, all alone u comforted me with them letters to always give a fight and to never ever let up I thank u for the meals I thank u for the bed I appreciate all the wisdom that u filled up in my head these thank yous won’t stop I thank u for a lot I thank u when u cooled me down whenever I was hot I thank u for the kisses I thank u for the hugs lovely lady up above I thank u for ya love I thank u for my siblings and I thank u for my life it’s really a blessing u and my daughter look alike I just can’t forget that I love u with all my might mama ya I love u rest in peace sleep tight
IRA ALLEN
11 12 FROM THE HOOD 2 MANHOOD Refuse Butt Phat for Tahara Lilly When you refuse me THE HOOD DIDN’T RAISE ME you confuse me. Girls talk about making What makes you think changes. I’ll let you in again? BUT NEITHER DID MY DADDY They gonna change this, tuck that. CHASTITY ROLLE Fill this, balloon that. THE HOOD LOVED ME BAD OR GOOD But I say fill your mind with knowledge, In the night your soul with temperance, I DON’T KNOW IF MY DADDY DID your heart with forgiveness. No matter the change, silence comes, you stay a queen, WHEN I HAD A QUESTION, I ASKED THE HOOD AND I only hear cars passing. as long as you stand I take a deep breath and straight enough GOT AN ANSWER hope for better days. to wear the crown.
CHASTITY ROLLE JONATHAN SYPHAX WHEN I HAD A QUESTION, I ASKED MY DADDY, HE NEVER ANSWERED
Fare Jump NOW I’M ON MY OWN, STRUGGLING, ‘CUZ I OWE THE HOOD Think before you don’t pay because if you hop It could ruin your day. I WISH I HAD MY DADDY, I WOULD NEVER OWE HIM
JONATHAN ANTONIO MY PAIN, MY SUFFERING, IS NOW MY SON’S DNA
My sister never forgave THANKS TO MY HOOD my father for telling her THANK YOU, DADDY, FOR EVERYTHING he didn’t want her.
JONATHAN SYPHAX ABDUL MALIK
13 14 Gomorrah Bx Gomorrah Bx
They bring us into this life Loro ci mettono in questa vita and the only thing promised e l’unica cosa che ha promessa is death. è la morte. Running the streets and Correndo per le strade e boulevards, Boulevards, seeking the almighty dollar, cercando il dollaro onnipotente, following orders to raise seguendo l’ordine di elevarci in the ranks, dai ranghi, away from hookers, dope lontano da prostitute, droga fiends and even skanks. demoni e di farabuti. The Capo says shoot, Il Capo dice sparare, we fire our guns. diamo fuoco alle armi. Then we hide out for days, Per Poi nasconderci per giorni, again on the run. di nuovo in fuga. Gomorrah, in the Bronx. Gomorra, nel Bronx.
GW MASSIMO GARRITANO ITALIAN TRANSLATION
15 16 How could I Un-Happy Valentine’s Day! Babylon System
Why does the system I’m not in love. make things so hard? live beside you I can’t find love. And I’m mad at people for six years and never say hello? Only a few are chosen that are in love. and so many called. I don’t want to see any love stories. I don’t want to turn on the TV You got pregnant on our block So many suffer and see people making love. without even showing. and only a few have it all.
JODECI So many are weak, On the street of not knowing only a few are strong.
You never know where you’re going. Lot Only a few rise and so many fall. FRANZE WILLIAMS It’s crazy ‘cause Avery killed Tony Open up your eyes and then if you like to see they killed Avery what’s going on. Lafayette Gardens the day after. Give thanks & praises to the
SCHOLANDA MILLER When you look out the window King of Kings & Lord of Lords. You always see problems. Wedding Nights (I ain’t tryna’ solve ‘em). Don’t stray from your mission or forget your cause, Guys out there got the heat to belong to the congregations the Babylon System, the Babylon System. dissolve ‘em. of rumors. Remember all the days They look like grandmother’s TAQIY WITTER bones. we couldn’t eat Wedding nights so we were starvin’? should belong to grooms and brides, I don’t want no problems. but they never do; (I ain’t tryna’ solve ‘em). bedrooms full of ghosts.
GERALD ANDERSON YASMINE LANCASTER
17 18 There’s no beauty, Now and Later Mecca and Jessica unless you have a brain. are on the phone. Mecca says, Let’s go out. JACHE BORDEN Jessica says, I’m broke. Mecca starts laughing and leaves her.
DEVONTE ANDREWS
I came from nowhere and it’s only getting harder. Midnight on The Corner of Adams And Smith So I go to school, hit the books, to get even smarter. John and Moquan are playing 2K. DARNELL UNDERWOOD John loses. He asks for a rematch. Moquan says, Naaaa. I won already. A fire truck passes. The sirens are loud and catch their attention.
DEVONTE ANDREWS I am writing to keep me Put away the gun. from being alone I am going through a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot a lot Did you forget he’s a son? Black Lives Matter, all this shooting ain’t fun. Turn around, run, throw your gun in the water. I don’t want to pick up and just leave If you shoot, looks like you’re going to jail for manslaughter. How about you don’t pull the trigger, leave him alone. and be mean Let him live and you live and go home. to my friends and family Shoot him, you’ll make his family sad, and each day they’ll get sadder.
JASON MASON We’re already worried about cops, no more of this. Black Lives Matter.
MICHAEL GOMEZ
19 20 Baby La La Life
can be good and life can be trouble we are an open book and some live in a bubble love is free and hate comes with a price
SHARON PAUL
That somebody who I miss, The Twenty-Third Pound
that somebody My appetite is my shepherd, who passed I always want. away, It maketh me to sit down and stuff myself. that somebody was my grandma. It leadeth me to my refrigerator repeatedly. That somebody It leadeth me in the path of Burger King held my hand. For a Whopper. That somebody It destroyeth my shape. was light-skinned. Yea, though I knoweth, I gaineth. I might be brown, I will not stop eating. but as far as I’m concerned For the food tastes so good. I’m not racist. The ice cream and cookies, Love is beauty and They comfort me. revenge is cruel. When the table is spread before me, But I gotta’ say It exciteth me. my great grand- For I knoweth that soon I shall dig in. dad was so As I filleth my pail continuously, cool. My clothes runneth over. Surely bulges, and weight, shall follow me KAWAN BELL All the days of my life.
SIR GEORGE W. WILLIAMS
21 22 What would I do Dishwashing at Dallas BBQ on Flatbush for Ms. Cheryl Brown The work load is a 12 hour day. If I never met you Five to closing. I’d be sitting here waiting, wondering what to do On Saturday night people are still eating at 1 o’clock in
Mad, sad and anxious, all kinds of feelings running through the morning. And then it all comes to us: Listening to my iPod, thinking about my crew the rotisseries, the rice pots, the soup pots, the fryers Here, you make it more like family all have to be washed by hand
So, here’s a few lines to impress before they can go through the dishwasher. The silverware has to be washed three times MIGUEL GONZALEZ and then put away. All the plates have to be washed and put away. They are stacked as far as you can see. And the glasses, Lies I wish you to 4 kinds of glasses: see I’m glad I’m not stupid water i lucked up enough to go back to you. and pulled my way up drinking You hurt me. from the ground up You played me. champagne and those stupid all i had was faith You lied to me. to get my confidence up Bahama Mama’s. But sometimes I wish I was stupid i was in a bad place enough to go back to you. They’re so big and goofy. but now i’m in a good space You made me fall for you. my past, i can’t erase And you gotta stack them. You made me happy. sometimes i was high as space You let me be myself. Then we have to wash all the rubber mats, gotta’ hit the light feet You let me fall in love. so women’ll try and chase me and the floors and the walls where the food has splashed. But you didn’t catch me. but i’m just making money Yeah, I’m glad I’m not stupid Sometimes we don’t get out of there till 4 o’clock in the ‘cause of God’s grace enough to go back to you. morning. I’m much smarter than that. CARLOS DELGADO It’s money, but it’s hard work.
ISAIAH ELLIS RODNEY TURNER
23 24 Poetry Pimp
A New Smooth Player Done Hit The Town ILLUSTRATION You Won’t Hear Him Coming, His Suede Shoes Don’t Make A Sound He’ll Just Ask You For A Few Words That’s All, At First
Here He Comes Again, Write More Words, He Says It With That Thirst
He Needs It, Now, Whenever You’re Alone, You Better Get That Poem Hey Guy, I Don’t Have No Words, I Don’t Care, I Just Reply He Says, Get To Writing That’s A Poem Right There
(Chorus) He Just Haiku Slapped Me I Jotted Down These Lines He Said, Write Free Verse Until The Day You Die He Said, Get Me Ten More Poems But My Hand Just Went Limp Metaphor Slapped Again By The Poetry Pimp
He Just Sonnet Slapped Me I Jotted Down These Lines He Said, Write Free Verse Until The Day You Die He Said, Get Me Ten More Poems But My Hand Just Went Limp I’ve just been Poetry Slapped Again By The Poetry Pimp
LA LA AKBAR
25 26 Declaration of Questions Develop a Life, Not a Page
What is race, really? Why hate when there is opportunity? You have 7K plus on the Gram Who am I to judge? Why are we always defined by our past? You have 5K plus on Facebook LASHAWN WILKERSON You have 4 email accounts You have 2 phones Pardon Me
I didn’t know I loved you, until I lost you. 1 for the girl I didn’t know how hurt you were, until your silence told me so. I’m sorry, on my knees, I’m so, so, so, sorry. Pardon 1 for the club. my ego. He didn’t consider you. He felt inclined to put you down. Pardon his words, for they betray People believe what you show what my heart is really saying. I didn’t know how much I loved holding your hands until I had to put mine together in prayer at night. Until they meet you I asked the creator to forgive me. I asked to turn back time. I never knew how much I loved running my fingers But if you get locked up through your hair, the scent of strawberry melon, your hymns of enjoyment. I miss your smile, big, wide and genuine. Or shot up I didn’t know the cost of losing, the ability to stare at you when you weren’t Where will your 12K followers be? looking. I’d steal glances. I am guilty of that crime. Pardon me. I never knew, but I’m learning. Isn’t that Develop a life, not a page. what love is? ANTOINE SHERMAN
NAPOLEON FELIPE
27 28 Story Number One For success, I can tell you stories And I swear they never end. Life is all about the wins I’ll patiently wait. And losing all your friends. DAVID JONES If you live in the hood You’re pushed to sell Ms. Fish Hooked Them Dope or coke to pay the rent, The bills and taxes, All, just to make a dent. Lubna’s first day of high school, And our housing makes it worse. She walked into class and saw a girl in a dress. Why Since I was seven, She gave her a smile. My mother was paralyzed. The girl threw a murderous look Her body didn’t work. At her. A new friendship began. does she hate me so bad If I die today when I’m so good to her? Just tell my brother Uzma looked around the cafeteria To watch over my mother. With a lunch tray in her hand, saw a girl in RICKY HARRIS And tell both of my brothers A hijab eating by herself. She walked over to the girl. To watch out for each other, May I sit here? She asked. Because nobody ever wonders, The girl smiled and said, Be my guest. Is there a bullet in a gun. Bina was pleased to make a friend ISMAEL PEREYRA On the first day of school. Empty Apology And it helped that the girl was nice. She didn’t like to eat alone. The food tasted bad. I will not accept an empty apology. I can appreciate honesty. It’s honorable when you speak your truth, but not from that place of fear you use to justify resistance to change. Jasmin wanted people to leave her alone. She didn’t want to make any friends. I will never forgive you when you make a mistake and then allow it to define you. She just wanted to get through school, When you’re courageous, and take hold of your destiny, and sit with me to talk about what you Mind her own business, desire to do after the mistake is over, then and only then, will I accept your apology. And she wanted everyone to do the same. That’s when you’ll earn my respect. That’s the moment when you are who you say you are. Ms. Fish was the ELS teacher. That’s when I will give you, without reservation, the respect you deserve. All four girls were in her class. That’s when I will believe your words and stand with you as we pursue our purpose as brothers. They were paired up to work in a group. Even if one didn’t want to Only then, will I say, I am My Brother’s Keeper. They were secretly glad Ms. Fish made them. I RESPECT YOU.
ZAHURA AKTER ABDUL MALIK
29 30 Lost Son
Where have all the kings gone buried beneath the rubble of broken tenements, halls that no longer scream the words of Malcolm, the strong will of Martin, the fight of Medgar Evers, the sonnets of Richard Wright, the freedom chants of Fredrick Douglas, the blood of Huey P. Newton. Silenced by their rage, they have not heard the words. They have not heard the words. They have lost their crown. One day they might see. Their ears may hear before death follows, before their legacy disappears.
JONATHAN SYPHAX
32 Money Is the Root Word to Your Mother When my brother
I done starved a lot got locked up, but family is what I live for. When you sitting in the dark he made the It gets hard to plot biggest mistake. JOSEPH NACMIAS But that’s how you find out I want him Whether you’re a shark or not to learn That hair on their chest from it. It’s due to Rogaine I wouldn’t You see, the same thing they claim to be want to Soul to Soul Poetry It’s insane to see see myself Thugs claiming to be going through Swearing, they in the same lane as me something like that. Is it wrong for you to be angry when you just don’t Something you must be trained to be understand AMAYRANCE CRESCENTE Is it wrong for you to be angry when God has a master KIING CHEF plan Is it wrong for you to be angry when it seems like a dream may die Is it wrong for you to be angry when all you want to do is cry Beauty Last night I woke up Is it wrong for you to be angry when you’re filled with mistrust and doubt Is it wrong for you to be angry when you feel completely slips out of the And realized I need you here. left out world We hit rock bottom Is it wrong for you to be angry when your thoughts are almost unnoticed. And the floor caved, filled with fear Fluttering palpitations Is it wrong for you to be angry if you find out they are D.P. Went through my anatomy no longer here Allowing me to believe I was alive Is it wrong for you to be angry that the relationship is Even without you. no longer thick The glow covered my exterior like a pericardium. Not because of a fight or disagreement but simply I washed my body to remove your touch, because they’re very sick Cleaned my clothes to remove your scent. Is it wrong for you to be angry when you’re sad and Jonathan Q. & Mom And here I sit in the corner, blue In an old chair, Some reading this may wonder is this fiction or is it true Son: Mom, you’re in my personal space. Rockin’ back and forth Is this piece written about me or am I talking about you Mom: You came out of my personal space. With a half-gallon of booze on my lap.
LALISA REID ELANDIS KELLEY
33 34 Midnight on 95th Why I Write Poetry
Friday, Coney Island, I have more patience for paper Rayquan and Michelle than I do for people. are sleeping in the house DEJA JONES on the 9th floor and they wake NYNY to the sound of gunshots. They look out the window If you’re gonna love New York, to see what’s going on. you have to love the weather. Everybody’s running. INGRID RAYSOR Michelle says, We better stay in the house. Rayquan laughs. Honey, Michelle goes back to bed. Rayquan goes outside. don’t give away something He hears shots again, that you ain’t buy. this time, buzzing his head. CHERYL BROWN He runs back upstairs to his room and closes the door. Secrets
JOHNELLE HINTON I got a story, but I don’t want to talk about it.
JAMES JONES
36 A Bird’s Motherless Thoughts
As I fly in the sky I see birds going by with little ones close by. I try and try to get little ones, sigh. Why doesn’t God bless me (why)? As a rainbow rises, a light flashes before my eyes and a baby falls, then another one and another one till my eyes fill and I cry.
After years in the nest, my babies are all grown up. But now they won’t leave and I don’t know why.
CHERYL BROWN
38 Men Poems and Championship Jackets
I used to write poems for my ex-girl. It bounced off the left of the rim. are stealing When I was away in college I knew where it was going. their girlfriends’ head-wraps I wrote her poems every day The angle said it was headed out of bounds. and gave her my two basketball championship jackets. I saved it and threw it back because they’re fed up When we broke up, to the former NBA star, with their hoodies being stolen. she didn’t wan’t to give up the poems or the jackets. Greg Jackson, and they fouled him too. She said, I cheered for you so hard And he still shot that bad boy in, VICTORIA SANUSI I earned those jackets. and got the old school 3-point play. It is true. In one of the championship games, The next play they tightened up. it got so dramatic, Their lead was now only 3. she and her sister were in the stands crying. And we stole the ball again. Homecoming We were down by 7, Everyone in the gym rose to their feet 4 minutes and 39 seconds left to play. knowing we might win. My father whispered to the coach, The thing was done. I just did one year of my life in upstate prison. Put Sean in the game. They never scored again. Came home, racked up in the game, ‘bout to get back on When I checked in, And we took them by 3. the other team had the ball.
My Kobe suit, foreign sneakers, Y3 Adidas on my feet. They were passing it back and forth, SEAN BENTLEY Like Tom Cruise, I don’t brag, far from cocky, trying to run down the clock. And all that time, But friends try to ice my potential like hockey. I’m running back and forth, timing their passes. D’NELL FAIRMAN CAMPBELL The rest of my guys were standing back in a zone defense and I was chasing the ball like a guinea pig. But I lulled them to sleep. They didn’t know I was keeping track Daytime, Sunday, Forest Hills, Queens of the arc of the ball. So I faked, and when they passed it Walking to the bus stop, I smacked it toward their basket. it’s raining. The puddles They couldn’t do anything but grab me. tip to overflow. So, I’m shooting the foul shots. The bus drives through. I made the first one A huge wave and missed the second one. covers the lonely walker.
COURTNEY CROSS
39 40 Hialeah Dear Madeleine,
Drinking Cuban coffee, It’s been 3 months since I’ve heard cafè con leche. from you. I hope everything is ok. Since your sister-in-law’s funeral Eating Cuban sandwiches, I know you’ve been depressed and missing her. with maduros on the side. I miss you. I remember when I used to live in Jersey. Watching the machismo, On your days off entertaining the females. we went to the beach and your favorite seafood restaurant. Looking around and wondering, Do you remember when is Hialeah in America? I taught you how to drive? You hugged me and gave me my first kiss. Am I the immigrant Every morning after that in this land? I brought you a “Dunkin’ Donut” coffee and a bagel twist. Is Border Patrol When I was lonely going to deport me? you suddenly texted and visited Rice and black beans, and we rented a DVD better than pasta. and watched some funny movie. Oh, Madeleine! Missing you everyday-- Being part Italian makes me Latin at heart. Your Best Friend,
G.W. GUYTO CHERY
42 On the Streets of Not Knowing
On the streets of not knowing walk the souls of those whose lives were stolen, snatched like the thick girl waist training, gunned down because of the set they were supposed to be claiming.
On the streets of not knowing Shorty’s pants sagging, grandma’s wigs wagging, ‘lil kids dabbing, preachers praying, moms slaying, junkies swaying.
On the streets of not knowing tears of grief flood the gutters as Coy, Tony, and Avery’s heartbeats flutter, flutter away, flutter away as the pierced lead flows through their plasma, grasping for that last breath like they have asthma.
On the streets of not knowing every corner has a DOA stamp, a yellow tape ramp, a staircase that is bloodied and damp.
On the streets of not knowing we will never know why. Why you took them? Why are they gone? Your friends, your bros. They know, we will never know on the streets of not knowing.
SCHOLANDA MILLER
44 Jail is Not Where It’s At
You start off by getting locked up by NYPD, The officers wake you up for a 7 a.m. count. Most of the food you buy is junk food: packs of placed in a bullpen on one hard bench along with You’re allowed to get up anytime you want. rice, Oodles of Noodles, more brothers. You find yourself with no place You can even go in the dayroom and watch packs of tuna, mackerel, or chicken. No bowls to sleep or even sit, except on the floor because TV. But the only way you can control the TV are allowed. No forks. You have to sneak a fork everybody can’t fit on that one bench. You stay in is if you get there early in the morning. There’s from the mess hall. They sell you peanut butter that pen between two and six hours, always a click controlling the set. Most of the with no bread. You have to sneak the bread lucky if you get anything to eat, before you’re time you’re subject to watch stuff you don’t want from the mess hall. If you get caught sneaking, transported to Central Booking. And Central to watch. The phones come on at 7 a.m. and go you get written up. Bowls are usually made Booking is worse. There’s nowhere to sleep. off at 8 a.m. Lunch is anywhere between 10:30 from empty two-liter bottles. You cut the plastic Everyone’s on the floor. You have to step over and 12.30. You have to line up in the hallway, bottle in half with a rope by shifting it back people to move around. There’s only one filthy like you’re in a public school. There is no talking and forth. The bottle heats up and then you toilet and one filthy sink. And everyone can see allowed. In the mess hall, you get five minutes to can rip it. At any time, they can come in and you use it. No privacy at all. eat your food. No food is allowed out of the mess yell, Search. And everyone must stand by their hall. If you get caught, you get written up. bed and then are moved to the day room. The Between six and eight hours go by, before you’re officers go through everybody’s personals: their moved from one pen to another and another and The bathrooms are horrible: eight toilet bowls food, their toiletries and their bed. Everything: another, until you finally get to the pen where divided by four feet high partitions with no thrown on the floor. The whole dorm is a mess. you wait to see the judge. And the food is awful. doors. When you sit in the toilet everybody can Usually, no weapons or drugs are found. They Breakfast is one small box of cereal and one pint see you. No privacy. The showers: eight shower just do this to aggravate the inmates. Then of milk. No bowl, no spoon. Lunch is peanut heads, eight shower stalls (if you want to be in the you have to clean it up. It’s like cleaning up a butter and honey sandwiches. These days, cheese shower with eight men). To get a razor to shave, garbage dump. After hearing all this, do you sandwiches are a delicacy. They used to give you you have to give your I.D. To get toilet paper, think what you’re planning to do tonight is both. And baloney. toothpaste, and soap, you have to ask. If you have worth going to jail? money in your account, you’re allowed to use the To get to the judge can take one and half to two phone for 21 minute calls, three times over the RODNEY TURNER days. And if you don’t get released, after seeing the day. No money, then you’re allowed three six- You know judge, you’re headed straight for Rikers Island. minute phone calls for the week. On Rikers, it may take a day or two before you see a bed. You’re still sleeping on the floor for You’re allowed to take a job like cleaning the what time those two days. Each pen, filled with 25 to 50 dorm, working in the kitchen, mopping the I ate lunch? inmates, has one phone. The gang clicks take over hallways, waxing the hallways, folding clothes, the phone. So, you may never get to use it to call washing dishes, doing yard work. The highest Five o’clock. your loved ones. Before you get your bed you paying job is loading and unloading. That pays What else can I say? have to clear medical. When you finally get your $40 a week. All the other jobs pay $10-20 a week. bed, you’re housed with 50 inmates and 50 beds, The struggle is real. each bed about a foot apart. Lying there, you can You’re allowed to go to the commissary, provided reach out and touch the next inmate. you have money in your account. JENNIAN JOSEPH
45 46 Spring’s Emotions Fear
April evenings, full of love and joy Grips in the middle of the night Nice weather, nice enough for a light sweater Those fingers that hold your eyelids down But plans are hard to decide That weight sitting on your chest Summer youth jobs, time to apply That feeling of hate The laws of the city get hard to comply Shackles on your ankles Arrests being made off temptations Chains on your neck Kids get hungry and lose their patience Choke when you speak Sounds of mufflers from cars racing No empathy I thought I wouldn’t make it, I thought I wouldn’t make it No ability to cry In the month of April, I swear no fakin’ Rikers Island left me vacant NICHOLAS PATTERSON
MARKCUS SANTANA All Lives Should Matter Love,
We live in a world where I never knew I loved learning All lives are getting sadder & being smart makes you cool. The knife and the gun now hold the power Under the sun our kids shouldn’t have to run ARMANI MILLER From bullets on a playground But lives get lost everyday Espresso! Lives get born everyday When I wake or before I go to bed Montego Bay I find time to pray in the morning So my kids can walk the streets One morning in Jamaica, I was shopping and I saw this precious black doll. wakes me With their heads held high She looked like the little girls in Montego Bay. I knew I had to take her back to New York City up. But they wonder, Mama, how does it feel for this little girl that lives in the Bronx. I couldn’t wait to see her. I stretch my body out cuz’ I’m craving that To fly? cup, See now, that’s advice I can’t give them Her face lit up, Is it a gift for me? looking forward ‘Cause mama’s never flown I said, When I saw this doll, I thought of you. to a day As they get older In a quiet and serious voice, she said, of smiles, I need them to see eye to eye I want to give this doll a Jamaican name. no grey. Black or White Color shouldn’t matter INGRID RAYSOR MELISSA PEREZ In the world we live in All lives should matter
GENEVA ELMORE
47 48 Libertad
Hoy quisiera ser libre como el ruiseñor al amanecer, con su lindo canto, enamora a las demás aves.
Libertad que linda eres hoy quisiera llegar a tí, hoy quisiera estrecharte Libertad y llevarte conmigo Libertad.
Ven aquí, Libertad que hoy me siento solo. La soledad me enloquece. Ven aquí Libertad.
Desde el fondo del alma Freedom te digo que te extraño hoy quisiera abrazarte I would like to be free today y gritar: LIBERTAD. like the nightingale at dawn, with his beautiful song, enamoring the other birds.
Freedom, how beautiful you are today. I would like to reach you today. I would like to extend you, Freedom, and take you with me.
Come here, Freedom. I feel so alone today. This loneliness drives me crazy. Come here, Freedom.
From the bottom of my soul, I say, I miss you. I’d like to hug you and shout your name, FREEDOM.
TELLY SANTOS - ORIGINAL AND ENGLISH TRANSLATION
49 50 Different Lost Love It started because she was having a baby as a teen. She was forced to get on welfare because welfare was the thing. Mama shouldn’t be surprised I had a son out of wedlock She had hopes and dreams to be on movie screens. She dropped out of school. She didn’t know what to do. and a daughter to follow. Alone in my own head. She was 14, a baby having a baby. Lost in life. , they say. Life is crazy. Late bloomer Her mama, only maybe, could be there to help. Bad memories like a mental movie. But sometimes, her mama, be acting shady. Black is Beautiful DEKUAN RICHARDSON Wait till marriage. What’s the point? Your husband already took that away. It’s time we own our knowledge so no one can take it. A friend said, I had the best childhood. It’s important we learn our history. I wish I could say that. Growing up molested and raped. We need to know who killed Martin and Malcolm. 12 It seems to be a mystery. You’d be surprised, it’s common. Feeling devoid of life, only babies can fulfill. Without them, Historically, we were slaves my whole life changed when I turned 12 and then sent with our children what identity do I have? no childhood to early graves. no support Love of my life, getting married, knife to my gut, no motivation My question is: What does Black mean to you? life crumbling further beneath my feet. everybody always saw the bad in me As for me, Black is Beautiful! all I ever wanted I knew who I was when we were inseparable. was to keep my mama from crying BRUCE KIRKLAND and my siblings from witnessing AMANDA HEINZ I didn’t want them to take the same path the one I was forced to take only god knows how much I can deal with Tree Paradox and when to stop giving me obstacles I wanna do the opposite I plant a seed of what everybody is expecting which is that grows a tree for me to fail. only to burn it down.
MARKCUS SANTANA OMAR MOEVETE
51 52 Edgewater Crew
Casey is very pretty with her long brown hair, a ponytail and diamond studs in her ears, and a bright white smile. Love, Maybe The Chocolate You Can’t Throw Away
Lily has blue eyes that captivate After our worst wars, I can’t quite grasp your intentions. your soul and speak volumes about We lay down I can’t crack the code of why me? her moods and demeanor, And forget about Because there is no why me? posing smartly in her Daisy Dukes. Our bloodiest battles. There is no code to break. As you ran your fingers Caitlin has blonde hair, fashioned down the miles and miles of my melanin, in cornrows like a plowed field Amor Tal Vez what were you thinking? on her head. The piercing in her nose Was I just another one of your dips shines in the sunlight, blinding my eyes. into the chocolate fountain? Después de nuestras peores guerras, You seem to swim there a lot. Brianna, the less obtrusive of a twin, Nos acostamos In the fountain of sweet sacrifice studious in her spectacles, we wonder Y nos olvidamos de other chocolate bars like me what she’s thinking. Loyal to her Nuestras batallas más sangrientas. don’t understand why butterfingers like you identical twin, Caitlin. don’t realize how much richer we are YOELIN GOMEZ - ORIGINAL AND SPANISH TRANSLATION without your peanut butter touch. Juliana is the one with an attitude It’s too sticky for us to unstick. like little Miss Perfection. I caught you swimming in this fountain plenty of times, Her aquiline nose and classic features more times without me than with. are a remnant of a Roman heritage. I just happened to be that chocolate bar you’d take a bite of when you wanted some, Alyssa, as tall as a bean pole, then throw in the back of the freezer to save for later. is a natural athlete and plays a mean You’ve always taken your pieces home. game of basketball. Competitive to a fault, I’m the only one who seemed to linger. I pity her opponents. Why is it me, you choose to nibble on? What’s so special about me Haylee is a very dark brunette that I get to be the chocolate that you can’t throw away? with a quick smile. Seemingly friendly, one wonders what’s behind DEJA JONES her engaging inclination.
Alexis glows without really trying. Her natural beauty and brown skin contrasts with the whiteness of the others. All friends, they’re thick as thieves.
G.W. 53 54 Por el rio pasan piedras por el mar caracoles. En mis brazos traigo yo, muchos ramos de flores
YONATHAN GONZÁLEZ
Stones pass through the river, snails through the sea. In my arms I bring, bunches of bunches of flowers.
DAVE JOHNSON SPANISH TRANSLATION
55 56 me, you, daddy, and baby boo Your Voice for Maceo you killed me and now i’m drunk on the juice you left in my jug when you sing this thing is swellin’ and you bring back my body is tellin’ my mother that any day i’m gonna pop and the song she used to sing and what will i do then? in my room at night Valorar El Amor ask your daddy for help? when we were alone don’t make me go back to him It’s April,
do you really want our lovely sin ELIZABETH SAXTON El amor no es para todo el mundo. to get mixed up with your close kin? We’re out & about. por que mucho you know he’ll claim this baby too The sun beats down no lo saben just like he did the other two Off the top of St. Patrick’s. valorar, igual que and if this keeps up The streets are me paso a mi perdí we won’t ever have anything Busy & the baby screams. mi amor de mi vida. to call our own She can’t seem to find shade To separate her from the mean sun. JOSE BALBUENA D.P.
OLIVIA TROY
Love Appreciated Melo In the Making Haiku (translation of Basho) Good Time for Paris
Love is not for all the world. Take us to the playoffs, Carmelo Anthony. Hey, ancient pond. My daughter is my life. Not many know how Step back while you make Pay attention to the frog Every time I go and visit her, she smiles. to embrace it, similar a magnificent three. leaping into water. Splash! She’s so happy, but she hates when it’s time for me to to my experience when Take it to the cup leave. I lost the love of my life and fill it to the rim, Yellow Melo. G.W. Don’t worry, Paris, we will be back together
RAUL CARRASQUILLO JR. DESMOND MARTINEZ 古池や soon. ENGLISH TRANSLATION 蛙飛び込む 水の音 KATRINA HARRIS
Furu ike ya kawazu tobikomu mizu no oto
BASHO (17TH CENTURY)
57 58 G-Money, 2 Mama I’m young & I’m black
I’m chasing this money doing these shows Y’all my brothers just tryna’ make it out of Bed Stuy. and that’s a fact
If mama could see I care for my ppl mama would know I might never get them back when you been in the dirt it’s time to grow. so listen to this
GERALD ANDERSON tell me how u feeling ‘bout that in the back of that car hearing that sound click clack straight to that pen ain’t no time to relax Spiritual Warfare with that metal bench bed
My life is a timeline of love more like a mat falling from above, descending on me like a dove, can’t even go to a store fighting evil spirits daily, they try to fence me in, push and shove like groupies. the government’s pleased to and cop a Kit Kat see them poof me, nah, mean, so spooky, but heaven came into my life to boost me lost all freedom now my life is like a movie. I’m not picky, but choosy, the mean things you say to me don’t move me. wish I never did that matter of fact, give me a pen and loose leaf and mom stressing and recite some free verses. We’re going to the crown like a Christmas star at the top of the tree. I’m single like like a number one hit record. I’m a musical instrument: piano, drum, saxophones, talk to me. where’s my kid at
BRUCE KIRKLAND IRA ALLEN RE VERSE FREE
59 60 Love, Kid Thoughts
I can be an angel Today, I’m thinking about my kids and what remains. The Year I Turned 30 or a monster, but I can see the past doesn’t I will always love last. All the fun and games, and the life I was living you from the bottom is now about my kids was the worst birthday of my life. of my feet. and how we’re going to last. I should have been grateful to have lived AMANDA PETERS DESMOND MARTINEZ to celebrate another year. Instead of counting my blessings,
Home at Last True Love instead of being grateful that I was healthy, instead of appreciating that I had My mom loves me. You know it when you have it a husband and a beautiful child, My sister hugs me. & I sit in the living room. you miss it when you don’t. a good job, I hear a broom. shelter, Swish, swish, I wish S.A.R. my mom would just food, stop cleaning, but I love, know she won’t. She loves her ways. I’m free peace of mind, She smiles and says, I spent precious time I’m here. versing, no rehearsing, being upset that I was I’m a car reversing, JAH-KEIFF MYRICK At Probation, for a situation. never going to be twenty-something Post bail, no jail. ever again. Drive, pay the meter. I want to say Ride, no fare beater. Never live in the past. PAUL LEUFROY I love you, Have an attitude of gratitude. but I am not sure of the definition. BRENDA DAVIS I will keep pretending to love you, till I actually do.
ABU TAHIRU SILLAH
61 62 HAUNGRY AND BROKE!!!
When you’re walking home And you’re broke, Everything smells soooooooo good. Popeyes, Wendy’s, Burger King. Your stomach starts growling. You don’t want the homemade sandwich in your book bag. Your mouth is watering, wishing you could just find one dollar.
TAHARA LILLY
63 Dreaming Question
So, I am not a citizen of this land of opportunity. How can a man go without seeing his own kid?
You call me an ILLEGAL ALIEN. ERICA ABEL In this great hour of destiny, I stand tall, Surrounded by friends, foes, and everything in between. Born into action, I must win. 4pm While my brethren fight for this country with their lives, I am fighting for my existence. on a summer afternoon, I am a dreamer. Drake and Josh sit on the porch waiting for sunset. I think of fire-lit homes, marches, and futile demonstrations Drake says, Look at that. Because my future is being decided by fear and intimidation JESUS JIMENEZ I see them in their fancy suits, but they do not see me. And the more scared I become, the more I hide, the more in- visible I become, Victims Who Will Cherish Me Now? Dreaming of things I want, but I know I cannot have. Another one is taken away. I want to stand up and say some- Camera crews with different angles Call me stupid, thing Views of the battered and bruised but he was Yet people still get the story confused my best friend. But I am mocked by hopelessness. Switched up and misconstrued They took him I am silent for fear that the next one Watch the media tell lies right in front On the victims, too of me. When all was they take away The victim is who? said and done, will be me. The victim’s you it felt like Youth and minorities they stuck Misguided and misjudged the knife in me. ESTEBAN RIVERA No handouts, nor hugs I lost my boyfriend. Shrugs from cold shoulders So who will Cold streets with no love Cherish me now?
HALOTHEARTIST CHERISH CUPID
65 66 You I wish you the best.
are so beautiful, I found a wallet. My lucky day. I know I can’t afford you. Not so lucky for the person who lost it. How unfortunate, someone lost their pocket purse. ANONYMOUS I look around, trying not to be noticed. Tucked away in a corner, I anticipate what’s inside. Vanishing sounds good right now!
But what I hoped would be a thousand dollars was only three dollars, adorable photos of children, some old receipts, and a note. Maybe a love letter? Catfish Story: It was written, hastily, in red ink. in Matawan, New Jersey
In my preteen years I spent Dear Tom, Summers with my grandparents. Where you go, I cannot follow. Their home was surrounded by water. There were hundreds of catfish in the lake. I was there for you. I would go with my grandfather fishing. We would sit up high on the ledge. I was there for your drug problem. My grandfather had all the equipment: You say you’re changing, but your words fail to produce results. rods, reels, cane poles, and bait. When I was with him, there could never be any talking. I held you at your worst. It was known, if the fish heard noises, they would not bite. Tom, I tried. One day, he and I caught hundreds of fish. I wish you the best. When we finished, my grandmother dumped them into a large bucket with hot, steamy water. And then we had the most delicious dinner Poor fella. of fried catfish and vegetables. Tom, it looks like we hit rock bottom. Eh? We invited everyone. I found your wallet. This story went on for years. I tip my hat to you. INGRID RAYSOR I wish you the best.
NAPOLEON FELIPE
67 68 Want Don’t Shoot Draw for your brother I don’t wanna die young, birds against the white page what you want I wanna grow old and have a daughter or a son, for yourself Or maybe both. The ash of pencil scratching into the surface like an echo or you’ll find yourself To live a full life, is my hope. Ripples soothe your broken mines by yourself But the bullet in your gun is the noose around my throat. with nothing. Small reminders of one need: safe space. Don’t shoot. SEKOU ALI I wanna live. NICOLE GOODWIN I wanna show the world everything I have to give. And it’s a lot. Yeah, I might smoke a little pot, But so did Bill Clinton and he didn’t get shot. While You Sleep Landlord A Game Don’t shoot. I got plans for my future that don’t include a cop saying, I study you Stop or I’ll shoot ya. means you are just lord of the land. It started off as a game like if at any moment It says power means more than office. and it ended up as my eyes will desert me Don’t shoot. Control over the nobodies. pain. When you spoke I leaving me to imagine My hands are clearly in the air. The officials need supervision over themselves. listened. I trusted and your smile on dusky I start school next week and I wanna make it there. Padding the bill to cushion themselves. accepted. But now that I gray mornings Service men sent to survey your pockets. know the truth, before sirens stir But you shoot. You turn to them for repair, but are left with uncovered sockets. I don’t want to listen. I just up the anxiety of city life. And let me die in the street. They give crumbs on their first approach. want to know, Why? Now my people want answers. No exterminator to kill that roach. What you started as a game, YASMINE LANCASTER No justice, no peace. Broken down appliances, no running water. I’m ending with your shame. They give a dime, and take a quarter. STEPHEN MUMFORD All the lies from management still hold. YAHIRA CASTILLO Don’t stop breathing, just breathe in that mold. So, when a request for repairs goes constantly unheard. They condemn you for giving a harsh word. Her If mama could Full of wit, done with all the facts. Bathe Let us see if housing laws, got your back. I don’t care what you thought. in self-love, I shiver when mama would I will see you, lame slumlord, in court. so you won’t I hear your name. stay another 50 years seek love from I won’t be to make sure we’re all LA LA AKBAR a thief in reckless pursuit satisfied until okay. to bruise your ripened fruit. I’m under your skin. ANTOINE SHERMAN J. BRIGHT JR.
CHASTITY ROLLE
69 70 Buried Motherhood
Back then I never knew how to tell the truth. But now I’m not afraid to speak. My old bones ache with the pain I had forgotten. Your body was so tiny. I wrapped the whitest, warmest, and softest blanket around you. I thought you smiled, but at the end of the night, it was too dark to see. I ran out of the house, fell in some vines, and broke my wrist. But I secured you to my chest. Muffled under dirt and leaves, I entombed my shame. My motherhood is still buried under that henna tree.
ZAHURA AKTER
72 Grace
You thought I would be nothing, but who were you to label me?
I was dragged, beaten, torn and scared, but I have risen. The Ring You thought my days were numbered, but instead I was fulfilling my destiny. Every time the phone rings, Some people consider my past a lesson learned, why does my heart begin to sing? but I call it an abundance of knowledge. It sings that tune that I don’t want to hear. Once I sat down to question and ask, Why me, God, somebody, please help me with this fear. why us, why now? But now I no longer question. I can’t erase the nightmare of that death call. Instead, I reply, Oh yes. Now I know why me, why us, why Since that night, I’ve continued to fall. now. So, next time you look at me and seek to judge, hate, or envy, I cry, Lord, somebody help me, please. stop and ask how I overcame the struggles Turn off that phone. I don’t want to hear it ring. which are now called my blessings. PEARL DICKSON
And I will reply, I have walked through the valley of darkness, into the storms and waves of what others consider regrets.
It all leads me into the beaming light to give birth, full of grace.
YAHIRA CASTILLO
73 74 If My Mother Wrote Poems
If I gave my mother pen and paper and told her to write a poem, it would sound something like this... The Gap-Toothed Split “Today I woke up, I am the air you suck through got out of bed, your teeth. and was immediately attacked The whistling whimper caught in by my youngest son asking for your throat. Honey Bunnies. I am the cloud in the sky that All I do is get attacked loves to block the sun. Like a bad by my kids, my job, strangers, hair day, I come and go. even the one friend I have. Everybody attacks me. NICOLE GOODWIN What did I do to deserve all these attacks? Why am I the bad guy?”
DEJA JONES
75 76 At the Gun Range Smile, Temper, ticking for Cheryl I told you, When I shoot, Simple, yet lovely Arising like a Don’t come close, you might lose a tooth. Kind and soothing Healthcare won’t cover you. A smile that melts Hot But the Fixodent came through. All troubles away Sorry it had to be you. Dimples that make Air balloon, I’ll never forget the noise it made, You want more... ping ping ping. Too bad, you didn’t have the Respected always, KENNETH WILSON ching ching ching! Ain’t scared to lose.
D.O. TAHARA LILLY
Forgiveness Butterfly Mythology Last summer, back in Jamaica, I was chilling with my family. I got to see my baby nieces and nephews, my brother-in-laws and my sisters. One day, a random lady came to the house Last night, I walked into my house and said she had a dream that somebody was going to die right there. and saw a tiny butterfly And she started doing holy rites, reading scriptures from the Bible, going around in circles. and praying over a bucket of water. And then she threw it all of over the yard. It came right after me A week after I got back to New York, Boom! My brother-in-law died, and then flew away. shot seven times in the chest. He was holding my baby niece It meant something good was about and the minute he handed her to my oldest sister, that’s when they rolled up on him, and shot him, and drove off. to happen.
JUNIOR ROSHANE JOHNSON YOELIN GOMEZ
77 78 Central Park Man
I saw a man sitting on an old broken bench, his toes pushing through the front of each shoe, his hair, a natty patch of string, his eyes bloodshot red from last night’s bourbon. This is not the first night he’s been here. No one speaks to him, but the slight nod of his head suggests that he welcomes conversation. There is a story Uomo di Central Park in his eyes, one that I am drawn to from the distance Ho visto un uomo che sedeva su una vecchia of his stare. panchina rotta, le dita dei piedi spingevano I sit beside him, pretending attraverso fronte di ogni scarpa, I suoi capelli, I’m waiting for the bus. stringhe usate, i suoi occhi rosso sangue dal I shave him sideways but he doesn’t respond. Bourbon delle ultime notti. His eyes fade, close, and his chin falls, Questo non è la prima notte che è stato qui. pinned to his chest. Nessuno gli parla, He doesn’t move and I realize he is gone; ma il lieve cenno che il suo capo suggerisce I sat down too late. invita alla conversazione. C’è una storia But what I learned is that stories are told nei suoi occhi, una a cui io sono and kept by the best attratto, quella nella distanza of men, even when the world del suo sguardo. Conosco il suo essere loses its focus. e mi siedo accanto a lui, fingendo di aspettare l’autobus. JONATHAN SYPHAX Lo guardo di traverso, ma lui non risponde. I suoi occhi si chiudono piano e il mento cade, appuntato al petto. Lui non si muove e mi rendo conto che non c’è più; Mi sono seduto troppo tardi Ma quello che ho imparato è che le storie sono raccontate e conservata dai migliori uomini, anche quando il mondo perde il suo punto di riferimento.
KAIROS ITALY THEATRE ITALIAN TRANSLATION
79 80 The rooster Another early morning coffee Ode to Money
and on my way back Money, you make me smile. that crows the police come running Every time I see you in my thick, black wallet, the loudest in the barnyard to my building I just shiver with delight. makes the cow’s milk curdle. and yell, You weren’t always there for me. Open the door. But now, on the lonely, cold, rainy nights, you fill me with joy. I say, I don’t have the key. It breaks my heart to hand you to another, YASMINE LANCASTER One officer, looking up, says, not knowing what they’re going to do with you next. Forget it! Your green texture across my smooth, black skin It’s too late. and the way each one of your dead presidents looks deeply He’s coming down. into my eyes, Guac I don’t want to let you go. But I have to. There’s a big pile of snow. When I’m hungry, you make my stomach full. A thud. When I want something, you are who I look to. I’ll give you a guacamole A splash in my face. Money, say you’re all mine. You won’t ever leave me, for a poem. I keep seeing death. Will you?
ASHLEY EVANS TAHARA LILLY ARABIA FRANCIS
Imperfection is Her Beauty Oda a la Cebolla All Aboard
She does whatever La cebolla es como el amor I remember my first experience with a la vez es tan rica y te marijuana. I was in my college dorm it takes to make it through hace llorar. and my roommates and I decided to one more day. She is not try it. I found myself walking on the ledge of our a sinner or a saint. She Ode to the Onion 3rd floor dorm. I swore against is a woman, a warrior, with drugs after that. Sounds easy, right? The onion is how love is, But my wall fell. Next came the cocaine the soul of a survivor and at once so deliciously rich and express, handed to me on a platter a heart that is in search of it makes you cry. by my oldest brother, only to be saved by the angel of my life, my mother. peace and love. MIGUELINA GARCIA - ORIGINAL AND ENGLISH TRANSLATION S.B. PEARL DICKSON
81 82 Oh, my God, Driving Shades
why are we At twelve years old My pain is hidden behind my dad taught me These lenses being taken away in such how to drive. I sometimes wonder where savage ways? It was the best gift My friends are he ever gave me. You can’t see the demons I face The pain repeats itself from This privilege If only you knew about my case generation to generation. made my life so easy. I’ve got a story I’d like to tell I get to places quickly. but it’s kinda hard not to dwell What the F_ _ _ is wrong with Long distance driving PTSD is not a joke this B.S. Nation? is my favorite hobby. Wish I could just I’ve driven twice from Toke, toke, toke Even my sister knows the pain. New York to Florida. I only ask, see me Her daughter, at the tender age of 19, At night, under the full through these frames moon, with the stars on the threw her life from horizon shining in the JOHN QUILES a rooftop. black sky, my girlfriend sits I pray her spirit escaped like next to me, silently contemplating a tender dove. this marvelous view.
GUYTO CHERY PEARL DICKSON
Hole Patience
My heart is like a black hole. I write poems with no hesitation I can’t even talk to the man above. Every time I perform it’s a celebration Can someone please explain I don’t support hate I support motivation why my baby had to go? I’m not the type to talk no need for conversation I look at all the men walking around I’m trying to turn my friends into a huge organization And ask you Lord, Why him? – all I need is patience
PEARL DICKSON MICHAEL GOMEZ
84 Change, You will surpass your past. Consider all the possibilities. Feel the feeling of accomplishment, Of things on the right track, No one can ever take back.
TYIECE BARCLAY
85 86