Gone

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

Curious Rage

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

It Hurts to Know

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