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Where I Come From

by a young person, age 14

I’m from a street where a lot have died
for little to nothing

I’m from faith in drugs, guns, and street runnin’.

I’m from a long line of people
who tell you to do right,
then go and do wrong,
which makes me wonder,
do they really want you to do good,
or are they just saying that,
because that’s the thing to say.

I’m from confusion about where mama’s son has gone
which makes me want to ask
“Does he even know himself,
let alone know how much she misses him?”

I’m from laughter over madness

I come from Pacific Highway South—
which for me was like a Tasmanian Devil,
looking cute
but dangerous.

I’m from love and I know that,
because my mom showed me a lot of it.

I’m from fear,
especially when I think about what my life has turned to.

I come from a long line of early deaths,
—all homies.

I come from experiences like mom’s lookin’ for closure,
through heroin and meth

I come from kids taking their lives into their own hands
because they don’t like the way things going—
which is good for them,
but not healthy for their family.

And I wish my life would become a pleasure,
instead of a constant pain.

That’s where I’d like to be from.

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I Would Have

by a young person, age 17

If you had asked me to understand why life is so short,
I would have.

If you had asked me to change the spot of who left,
I would have.

Sometimes I think I drag death around like a chain
And if only I could have made a place we were safe,
with no fate,
I would have.

It’s just that being left behind,
time after time,
feels like I’m alone.

My eyes are too bleary to see you’re always with me,
we always together
I would have

If I could imagine your voice,
and hear you say
“I love you moe p”
I would have

Dedicated to my brother

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Where I’m From

by a young person, age 16

I’m from a place that’s not really safe.
We would never even go outside
Our house had been shot up multiple times

Inside was boring. I’d always be at
our grandparents’ house,
because they lived in a safer neighborhood.

I’m from a street where I learned to love
while others dwell and hate.

I’m from a long line of people who reflect
about our past.

I’m from confusion about my future—
it’s like a fog over the ocean
because you can’t see that far,
only what’s right in front of you.

I’m from laughter over failure,
If you’re laughing when you fail,
You know you could have done better,
but you maybe didn’t put your all in it.
Or you’re trying to block out the disappointment
or put on a front to other people,
or sugar coat it.
But you could do better next time,
There’ll always be a second chance.

I’m from fear,
especially when I think about my past

I come from a long line of drugs and alcohol

I come from experiences like
football in the streets,
to shootouts in the park.
I come from hot winters
and cold summers

And I wish my life would become a future,
that’s where I’d like to be from.

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📸 Featured Image: Illustration by Alexa Strabuk 譚文曠.

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