Pregnant at age 13
Lots of problems
Homeless with a baby
Walking all day
Hot sun
Looking for somewhere to rest
Taken away from my mother
Me , my baby , my brothers
Life has not been easy for us
I am a nice person
I am a friendly person
I am a person who wants to be happy
I do not deserve this……

Alondra , age 17

A young mom
On the trolley bus
No one offers me a seat
People make dirty faces
At me and my son
I am motivated
Get up early every morning
Bust my ass
On public transportation
I am going to school
I am going to college
For my son
For my parents
Hard working Mexican people
I am doing this for our family
I am doing this for us………

Jazeel , age 15

She is a rebel
She is dangerous
Vigilante on the brink
Missing link
On the brink of destruction
What's her name
She is the symbol of resistance
Holding her heart like a hand grenade
Like a child left behind
Like a pet left out in the rain
She is alone
Wiping the tears
So sick of crying
Selling myself to anyone
Who is willing to buy
What's her name……

Angela , age 14

They came from behind
We did not see them
We sat on the swings
They hit him
All I could do is watch
I watched while they beat him
I blame myself
I didn't do any thing
I just watched
Walking down the street
Alone
Shot
I cried at his funeral
I miss him……..

Carolyn , age 13

Listen with your heart
Not with your ears
Street of Dreams is like the moon
Landing in my back yard
This chance may not come again
These chances are so few
And far between
Mom i am sorry for making you cry
Wasting your money
Using you
When all you wanted
Was my love
Happy just to see me
I am sorry for burning your future
Taking away the things you wanted most
Sorry for leaving you
Give me another chance
These chances are so few
And far between……..

Rachee , age 17

Growing up behind bars
I cant remember what I did wrong
I miss my mother
My Jefita
The only girl I trust
I don't like to get visits
Don't like to see the
Tears in her eyes
They told her
Get him into sports
We did not have the money for uniforms
We needed the money for food
Growing up behind bars
I cant remember what I did wrong
I have a right to my silence
I have a right to be quiet
I keep my dreams to my self
In the darkness of my sacred heart
I miss my mother
I miss my little brother
I may be young……but I am still a man

Earnesto , age 17

Dear mother
Help me please
Here I stand
With out money
Know one knows my name
I have only two things
This corner and this gang
Where I hang
This gang
That I bang
Mother why did you die
When I was only seven
There are only two things in a gang
Love and pain
Mother , mom
Please come home
Teach me to pray
Show me the way
Out…..
Of this
Gang ………………

Jaime , age 17

There are many words
Some words will help you
Some words will hurt you
They can make you jump and run
They can also make you cry
Some words will inspire you
And you can inspire others
There are so many words
In many different languages
In many different forms
And there are many things that just stand
And have no words
But they speak
And tell you a story
From long ago………….


Rene , age 17