Poems offer a glimpse into souls of young offenders

Published 12:01 am Monday, April 25, 2011

On my recent tour of Denney Juvenile Justice Center, we paused as doors were unlocked and relocked at every turn.

Margie Holloway, a juvenile detention programs manager, pointed out classrooms, a gymnasium and library. I couldn’t believe some detainees get locked up again and again.

Se

veral detainees passed us on our walk, few making eye contact, all with hands clasped behind their backs. They trailed single file, well schooled, behind a juvenile corrections officer.

I learned nothing about the teenagers’ particular situations, but there was a way to peek into their souls: Some who have spent time at Denney wrote their own thoughts during poetry workshops.

Programs like that one provide resources and learning opportunities for those who have offended and those referred to the court for dependency, truancy and other reasons.

One young woman, who was murdered after she was released, wrote this prophetic piece:

Hey, lil sis,

I just want you to see,

I was wrong.

Don’t do what I do.

I love you.

I know you love me, too.

I just want you to see,

Don’t follow after me.

Look where it’s got me.

Look where I’m at.

I just want you to see.

Take a look at my past,

The near deaths,

The stupidity.

I just want you to see.

I don’t want you to grow up “me.”

Holloway could tell me no more about the author. Every detainee’s story at Denney is cloaked in confidentiality.

The poetry teacher, Mindy Hardwick, gets to know the faces, body language, and emotions of detainees. She is a published children’s writer who facilitated the Denney Poetry Workshop for five years.

The Washington State History Museum published her story, “Tales of the Lighthouse Keeper,” as well as articles about Rachel the Pike Market Pig and the Fremont Troll.

“I teach writing the children’s story and children’s literature courses at Seattle Pacific University,” Hardwick said. “I am included on the Washington State Arts Commission teaching artist roster.”

Hardwick volunteered her time at Denney and worked for an endowed fund called the Blanche Miller Trust Art Exhibit Program. Former Juvenile Court Administrator Blanche Miller gave a portion of her estate to be used to fund juvenile court programs.

Hardwick originally asked Holloway if she could volunteer her services. Holloway, who has been employed by the juvenile court for 32 years, welcomed the extra hands. Holloway developed a number of programs for at-risk youth, both at the state and local levels, she said.

Her first day at Denney, Hardwick asked the detainees to draw a doorway picture. One young man on suicide watch drew a doorway walled with bricks.

Juveniles are asked to write about their experiences, with no emphasis on technique, Hardwick said. Some read their work. Some clap, some cry.

Their work isn’t always dark or depressing, Hardwick said.

“It’s real,” she said. “They have a lot on their plates. They have to survive on different levels.”

When Hardwick heard one of her students died of an overdose, she sent a poem he wrote to his mother.

“What she does is so important,” Holloway said about Hardwick. “Even if they don’t have academics, they have feelings.”

Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com.

Poetry books

Four books of Denney Juvenile Justice Center detainee poetry have been published.

Visit the Denney Poetry Blog at www.denneypoetry.com/.

Hardwick’s blog may be viewed at http://mindyhardwick.wordpress.com/.

Here are a few of the poems:

Hopeless lives in the shadow of hopeful.

Hopeless gives up and follows everyone.

Hopeless is controlled and loves to be bossed,

Because Hopeless can’t make up its’ mind.

Hopeless begs for forgiveness and repeats its’ faults.

Hopeless eyes are sad and confused.

It’s head hangs low and unconfident.

Hopeless wants happiness, but can’t picture it.

Hopeless needs help.

Failure has surrounded me,

Open door slammed shut.

When my hopes are up,

Dreams shattered like glass breaking,

Heartbreak and eternal bloodshed.

How do I change 17 years of defeat?

By letting go of my mistakes.

Releasing my past heartbreak,

Dusting off my shoulders,

And working around those road boulders.

Relax my mind, body, and soul.

Replenish my heart and make it whole,

For soon I will realize,

My hard work will be gifted,

And my weight has been lifted.

I am my own person,

Holding my own,

Impossible to escape,

What I have made for myself.

So called “friends,”

Who turn their back.

I make myself new home after new home,

On my own.

Out my window,

Across the street,

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

A body,

Lies in the ditch.

Impossible to escape,

On my own.

Who are you Dad?

What have you done with your life?

Were we really that bad,

That Mom couldn’t be your wife?

Who are you Dad?

Why?

Would kids have been too much?

You’ve never seen me Dad,

Or how my life’s been so rough.

Someday, I will be a Dad,

And a great one at that.

I will overcome all life’s challenges.

Can you ever beat that?

Who are you Dad?

I guess I’ll never know.

You’re gone forever, Dad,

And your love has never shown.

My name is Powerless.

I live in a corner,

In a broken house.

My last name is Fear.

My middle is Doubt.

My parent is Addiction.

My sister is Revenge.

My brother is Fury.

They go to no end.

My eyes are empty.

I have no heart or soul.

Knowing me really takes a toll.

You won’t be able to fight me,

Once I’ve been around.

Soon you meet the whole family,

We’ll drive you in the ground.

You’ll learn not to ask questions,

Soon you’ll be like me.

Powerless has no end,

Good luck getting free.