Gone

03Jan12

I wait and wait
(Waiting is like standing still)
Like I’m a piece of bait
(Bait is like taking a pill)
It’s time to go
(Go is for run and leap)
Let’s move with the flow
(Flow is everything without a peep)
It’s finally here
(Here is everything you see)
We don’t have to wait ‘til next year
(Year is what is going to be)
I really want to quit
(Quit is to leave right there)
It’s time to move on
(Move is like a dare)
(On is when you’re about to bend)
Gone
(Gone is like the end)

Nicolas

from Give or Take, writings by residents of the Turman Halfway House. 2011

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Curious Rage

02Jan12

It was a frightful moment for me
I didn’t know what to do next
A big pressure hit me like a weight in my chest
When I saw your lifeless body in the seat
I felt a wave of revenge over me
My mind could only react at one thing at a time
You left the world, where you were in the backseat
of my car
But when I leave this insane place
I shall rest in peace where you will be having fun
In a castle in the afterworld

Buddy

from Give or Take, writings by residents of the Turman Halfway House. 2011

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It Hurts to Know

01Jan12

Just chillin’, lyin’ in bed awake
Thinkin’ ‘bout changin’ for my daughter’s sake
Wonderin’ how much of this chaos I can take
I can see the pain
And it hurts to know that I was the main
Reason for your cries and tears
I hate that we’re so far, I want to be near
You before I give out and just break
Hopin’ that the sun finally shines through
And shows me what path I should choose
I’m prayin to my lost homies. What should I do?
I hope I’ll get to see them soon
Not soon, enough, not so fast
While I’m lyin’ here reminiscing on the past
I should’ve been there when you passed
Rest in peace homeboy, I’ll always have your back
But I got a family now, I can’t get off track
I can’t retaliate and get that vato whacked
But you know I’m down ese, I still represent you then and now
So R.I.P. homito, I know you’d be proud

Isidro

from Give or Take, writings by residents of the Turman Halfway House. 2011

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NEW YEAR’S EVE

31Dec11

I    remember    very    well    the    year    of    1989.    It    was    New
Year’s    Eve.    My    sister,    my    brother    and    I    had    already
gotten    presents        from    our    mother    and    grandmother.
We    were    going    to    celebrate    New    Year’s    Eve    only
with    our    friends.    Everything    was    ready    but    we    did    not
have    a    Christmas    tree.
I    decided    to    get    one.    I    went    to    a    certain    place,
cut    a    tree,    brought    it    home    and    everyone    was    very
happy.    We    decorated    the    tree,    celebrated
New    Year’s    Eve    and    had    a    good    time.
I    was    afraid    of    everything    for    I    knew    what    was    waiting
for    me    the    next    day.    A    man    came    to    my    house    and
Told    my    grandmother    what    I    had    done.    She    had    to    pay
for    the    Christmas    tree.    I    felt    very    foolish    and    sad.

 N.V.    

from Her Eyes Were Truth, writings by residents of the Battered Women & Children’s Shelter of Bexar County. 2006

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My Memory of the Stars and Constellations

30Dec11

We    were    on    our    way    to    pick    up    my    oldest    brother
from    his    girlfriend’s    house    in    Floresville,    Texas.    I    was
in    the    back    of    the    truck    and    that    night    I    saw    the    Milky
Way    and    a    satellite.    The    Milky    Way    looked    kind    of
like    a    faded    light    with    dark    white    dots    which    were    the
stars.    The    satellite    was    two    blinking    lights.    Red    and
blue,    I    think.    They    were    not    that    bright.    It    was    a    very
scary    dark    night.    I    could    hear    noises    in    the    woods    that
were    surrounding    us.    They    sounded    like    someone    was
walking    in    the    woods.    The    sound    of    crickets    was    also
heard.    They    were    very    loud.    I    was    with    my    brother
Adam    in    the    back    of    the    truck.    He    didn’t    do    much
because    I    guess    he    had    already    seen    them    before.    I
was    excited.    I    had    never    seen    the    Milky    Way    before.    I
was    amused!

A.P.   

from Her Eyes Were Truth, writings by residents of the Battered Women & Children’s Shelter of Bexar County. 2006

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My Dreams at Night

29Dec11

When I Sleep
I    don’t    have    dreams.
It    is    pitch    black.
It    is    like    a    computer    screen    when    it’s    turned    off.
I    may    hear    the    click    of    the    heater    going    on    and    off.
I    don’t    feel    anything    when    I    am    sleep.
I    am    a    deep    sleeper.
I    don’t    feel    anything    when    I    am    sleep    unless
it    is    my    sister    rolling    me    off    the    bed    to    wake    me    up!
Sometimes    I    don’t    even    feel    that.
I    may    have    a    dream    of    me    falling
but    it    is    just    my    sister    pushing    me    off    the    bed!!

    L.G

from Her Eyes Were Truth, writings from residents of the Battered Women & Children’s Shelter of Bexar County. 2006

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