Today i returned to the Hawkins street school area where i had taught for five years. Taught here until the Governor cut my after school program………taught here until the city and the state decided that they didn't have any money in the budget for these kids….for these people in and around Newark.
I was stunned to see the kids that i had left at the school. Stunned that they missed me so and that i missed them so.
This is the hottest summer on record, and we have left our children to fry in the sun, to hack out their poor and neglected lives alone………….
Their was one saving grace in this. my ex boss, this beautiful Puerto Rican woman is still there. Working out a trailer but still there.
We were having a meeting about a mural that i am doing up in this area. So i got to see all of my old students and parents and inspect the place that I had grown to love.
Inspect this place, this hard core project neighborhood with a heart of gold
the thugs remembered me, the crack heads remember me and so many of them offered me smiles or nods
that i knew i had come home
My ex boss is holding down the fort all by herself
when i asked the kids what do you like about this place where you live they all said it at once.
Miss Ivi
these are the people who are holding it
down, who are the mothers to neighborhoods that the government doesn't care for
she is a shinning light in a land of darkness….still teaching still yelling still mothering……..
they come to her
I kid you not
she is the Mother Teresa of Hawkins street and she should be applauded, promoted encouraged and supported………..
The city of Newark, the Governor of new jersey.
You ought to be ashamed…………
I don't want to hear about deficits……………..this place is a deficit.
you are closing pools and programs leaving our children to fend for themselves
i dreaded returning here, for fear of what i might find
so many of the kids that i left are robbing, doing drugs or in jail.
that i had a hard time composing myself
this is our legacy to our youth
no funds
no money
no love
But we got lots of love
for Iraq and Afghanistan
we got lots of love
for prudential
and for companies
My prediction has come true,
we are tossing out a whole generation
and i don't give a damn about hearing that their is no money
or that you are cutting back on toilet paper and company jobs
their is a name for this neglect
its is sin
God has got to be watching this…….
it hurts me to my very soul
that this city
that this state can do this…….
to children
ok we are broke
what ever
i don't want to hear it
not when i see suffering like this
not when my kids are being locked up and oppressed by the heat
and their lives
shame on the governor
I wonder where he lives
this one
is it cool there
is your pool full
I know the mayor is trying
and that he has allot on his plate
he might just cry like i did today
i know he does
i hope he does
but tears aren't enough
find the money
give us so hope
Newark be proud
my ass
I am ashamed and humbled
but when i see Miss Ivi up there
fighting every day
small battles with big changes
it gives me hope
I wanted to retire
to fish and to plant
and to live out my old age in peace and quiet
but my soul will never be still
knowing this is what i am leaving
“just when i thought i was out, you pulled me right back in”.
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