This school year The Good Men Project is teaming up with The Pain of The Prison System (POPS) to show how art can transform people.
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In the first week of Venice, California’s POPS the Club, the students started the creative process of transformation. The following words are the initial seeds of creativity that will grow as the school year progresses.
S.T.U.F.F. (something to understand family and friends)
My friend – is serving time. He used to call me every day, but he can’t make phone calls anymore since he got transferred to juvenile camp. I have his address; should I write him? If so, how often?
My sister is in jail again and she is pregnant and I’m afraid her baby will not have a place to live.
My brother got 29 years in prison and he has served only 5. I haven’t seen him since and now I got a call from him that I can go see him. It’s just that he is 13 – 14 hours away.
My mom was not able to get an internship at UCLA because of her past prison record.
I miss my dad. He still has another 6 months. He’s the only person close enough to be my father since mine doesn’t want me. (?)
Seeing my mom in jail and seeing all the pain and sadness in her eyes broke my heart, making me almost not want to go back and visit.
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I Hate that You Hate Me
A mother is supposed to love,
A mother is supposed to care
A mother is supposed to heal.
I feel like she’s my enemy,
instead of a mother.
I’ve been beaten, abused, put down and mislead.
The highlight of my day is solitude
because I know nothing can hurt me.
I put on a happy face, but I’m not happy.
I try to be a smart ass, but I don’t feel smart.
I try to be alive, but I feel as if I’m dying inside.
My only hope is that my scares heal and I can move on and forget.
Find a mother in the world instead of a mother who’s filled with regret.
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I like POPS I can relate; the food is great; the guest are boo. Writing poems rule.
I think the reason I did what I did as a kid was because of what happened to me before, as a kid. I can move on, but never forget.
This is a really good program and I really enjoy it. Also the food is good but overall, it helps you open your mind and get everything out.
After this summer being back in Danziger’s room almost feels like a second home.
POPS is a place where all my stress leaves my body as soon as I step into Room 120. My mind goes dead and I have to say that it is a good feeling not to worry about anything for a good period of time.
I am here because my friend encouraged me to come and hear what other people have to say about any problems that they may have. I am pretty sure I am going to start coming more because sometimes I have mother/daughter disagreements. And this can help me feel released and positive.
This is my senior year. I’m so excited but I’m a little nervous I don’t know what to do with my life.
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Back and forth behind my eyes, my mind begins to break,
My sanity’s gone; I don’t know what’s wrong
But here’s my heart to take
Daylight’s breaking, my knees are shaking
Just take me in today
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Stay with The Good Men Project and POPS The Club to see the next step in the transformative power of art from Venice, California.
Photo: kevin dooley/Flickr (this image has been altered)