Poems and Writings from Students
By Ascuela Popular School
Art by Wesley Vara

Unknown Author:

Death all around the weak
Without giving mercy
Without letting them live
Without a funeral or burial
Not even a simple memory
Letting them suffer in pain
Then holding their hand
And taking them
To the place called heaven.

Unknown Author:

Always getting busted by cops, my brother getting locked up Hinas not being real. Gang banging. Problems with neighbors.(busters) Problems with school. When I got busted by pigs I was drunk and I forgot to throw The pipe. So they stopped me and my homie. They searched us and we got busted.

My brother is doing time cause he got involved with gangs. My ex hina is moving from san jo and I don't think she's serious. I just found out she has another man. I also think she going to have my baby.

My neighbors are rival gang members, so every day we stare each other down. But I don't want my house to burn

I have problems in school because I'm lazy, and I fall asleep in class, too much. Right now my life is pretty negative. I'm also getting locked up this Friday.

Unknown Author:

Being trapped in a whole of darkness no one to pull me out. I could see myself falling and falling . yet, It wouldn't matter. Trapped in my own world not thinking of others but myself. Then suddenly I saw a light. This brought light kept calling me. Saying “come on to the light, stay away from the dark.” It was my mother who kept On calling me.” Relentless to stop me. She was there she helped me. It was unbearable to see her crying , suffering and all that brought my ability to a full stop.   And now I rejoice life with out a stop.  

Unknown Author:

Change in my life was when I realize that my husband was involved in drug problems. It change my daughters and my life totally. I decided to come to school, learn English, Get my high school diploma and continue to study. To show my self I can do it. With or without a husband. Now he's ok,   we still are together, my older daughter is in De Anza college, and the other in San Jose state university. I am happy because I feel that I have been doing something good for me and my family.

Poem by Jonathan Brito

When I met this girl she changed my life,
when I came to this school
That changed my life from packing a knife
to aiming of wishes believing in having a wife, changing my life.
Now I come to school every day and I want to graduate.
I finally understand that it's never too late.
to step up and regulate,
you make your own faith,
your own choices.
Just stay away from the evil voices
in your head or you might end up living your life in dread.
This is coming from someone who has lived and learned.
Stay away from the fire or you might get burned.
Through criminal actions a jail cell is what you earn.
So don't wait to live it
Just pay attention and learn.