Pongo Poetry Project's mission is to engage youth in writing poetry to inspire healing and growth. For over 20 years, Pongo has mentored poetry with children at the Child Study and Treatment Center (CSTC), the only state-run psychiatric hospital for youth in Washington State. Many CSTC youth are coping with severe emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. Approximately 40% of youth arrive at CSTC having been court ordered to get treatment; however, by the end of their stay, most youth residents become voluntary participants.
Pongo believes there is power in creative expression and articulating one's pain to an empathetic audience. Through this special monthly column in partnership with the South Seattle Emerald, Pongo invites readers to bear witness to the pain, resilience, and creative capacity of youth whose voices and perspectives are too often relegated to the periphery. To partner with Pongo in inspiring healing and relief among youth coping with mental and emotional turmoil, join the Pongo Poetry Circle today.
by a young person, age 12
Strength is something you
get by being brave,
willing to put your life
in the eternal grave.
Risking everything to save
the one thing you want most,
going back and forth
coast to coast.
There is going to be a time
when all life will go to war with
Fear, Depression, Sadness, and Hatred.
But YOU will rise above all others,
YOU will keep on fighting for,
ALL that has been lost
but know that when all
has been lost,
there is always Hope,
even when your mind can
not cope.
and when you know hope …
… YOU KNOW STRENGTH!!!
by a young person, age 17
i'm quiet, but i still speak.
sweet, tangy words play at my lips,
rolling from my tongue,
but are met by a wall.
a disconnect
unable to reach the paper or the world
maybe it's because of old memories
that cause current fears
to collide with my thoughts
causing an internal chaos
that chains my mouth shut.
by a young person, age 17
My life is like a light flickering.
A bright lightbulb — angel white —
that's dying, but it's trying.
Bruises from being abused
and weakness from not eating
don't define me,
but they may drag me down.
Many of my demons grab hold of me
trying to show me the place where I belong. Some days, I break free
like a rabbit breaking free from a trap, trying to live another day,
with lots of laughing, adventuring,
finding the missing pieces
that are a part of me.
My life is like a light flickering,
no longer hiding in the dark,
but finding the light that will stay
for the rest of my life.
Dedicated to those who struggle finding light to go on everyday.
🎨 Featured image: illustration by Alexa Strabuk 譚文曠
Before you move on to the next story …
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Before you move on to the next story …
The South Seattle Emerald™ is brought to you by Rainmakers. Rainmakers give recurring gifts at any amount. With around 1,000 Rainmakers, the Emerald™ is truly community-driven local media. Help us keep BIPOC-led media free and accessible.
If just half of our readers signed up to give $6 a month, we wouldn’t have to fundraise for the rest of the year. Small amounts make a difference.
We cannot do this work without you. Become a Rainmaker today!