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Fall 2004
NOW AND THEN
Writing from youth and adults at the West Englewood Branch Library
This brand-new issue of JOT features:
Read work from the magazine! For more information on how to receive a copy of the magazine for $10 or to receive a year of JOT for $25, please call the NWA office at (773) 684-2742
MY LIFE NOW AND THEN
Lynda Shah
Lately I haven't felt like writing.
I haven't felt like much of anything.
Sometimes I want to cry. Sometimes
I want to laugh. What's that about?
I don't know.
I am tired of this neighborhood.
I am tired of the shooting every night -
almost every night. I have
no money to move, no money to save.
I am crying now. I don't really want to
cry. I am sad. My daughter hates this
neighborhood. I was raised in this
neighborhood. I am always telling her,
remember where you came from.
Give back to the community.
What community?
I work. What money do I have to show
for it? I feel like the working poor.
I guess I am.
I keep telling myself I am blessed.
Some people don't have a place to live,
running water, and food. When I think
about those people, I feel a little okay,
a little more motivated. Then I say,
"Lord, what's all this for?"
I want to live, but am I living?
I want to enjoy life.
Hey, that's what I need to do.
Where do I start? Where do I begin?
Look in the mirror girl. Look in the
mirror man. Is this the answer?
I don't know.
WHEN I LOOK OUT MY WINDOW...
Marissa Purnell
When I look out my window
I see a gang of boys standing around a light blue car
I think they are drug dealers
Or that they are doing something they have no business doing
As I turn my head to the right I see a big, brown building
Sometimes there are kids playing or riding bikes
The next-door neighbors are always on the porch
Talking and laughing
THE FIRST THING I SEE WHEN I WAKE UP IS...
Brother Keith
Darkeness!
I wake up in my room
A three-bedroom house
My girl and I
Been there two years now
When I get out of bed
I see darkness
Then, some light
Coming from the outside
Darkeness doesn't feel good
But the light feels great!
Darkness is a burden
A heavy cloak, almost
But it's only mental
When the sunlight comes
Through the shades
I feel good
Mentally and physically
The sun feels good
The heat
The brightness
Inspiring too
I can't say enough
About how it makes me feel
I know
It's going to be a great day!
HARD BLOW
K Frances
Has life ever dealt you a blow so hard
that you longed to curl up in someone's
arms and be a baby again?
WHAT'S INSIDE OF ME?
Johnice Epps
Inside of me is my heart
Inside of me is my spine
Inside of me is my breath
Inside of me is my mind
What's inside of me?
Inside of me is flesh
Inside of me is blood
Richer than the chocolate skin I am in
MIDNIGHT BLUE
Ugochi Nwaogwugwu
(AHaiku for Bertha)
painful memories
stain DNA like coffee
three days old in mug
I KNOW WHERE LIFE'S COMING FROM
Akbar Ali Muhammad
I was born and raised in the slum on a crowded Chicago street.
I had to run from a gun, it sure as hell wasn't fun.
They say, "When you are Black, you ain't nothing, son."
But now the nightmares are gone and I got all my homework done.
I am way past twenty-one and I know where life's coming from.
Yes, I know here life's coming from, and I know what I am gonna do.
Yes, I know where life's coming from and I know what I am gonna prove.
Everything I got was the hard way.
I had to fight for everything I own, but somehow it's made me strong.
It gave me strength to carry on.
Um, umm.
I have seen many things.
Um, umm.
I have cried bitter tears.
They say, "When you are Black, you ain't nothing, son."
But now the nightmares are gone, and I got all of my homework done.
I am way past twenty-one and I know where life's coming from.
© 2004 Neighborhood
Writing Alliance
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