PONGO POETRY | Flying
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.
Tsunamis
by a young person at CSTC
Tsunamis are like anger
Destroying if not controlled.
But they can calm down, just like you.
Tsunamis spread fear
For the what ifs—
What if our home is destroyed
But it doesn't have to be that way.
Tsunamis spread sadness
For the ones who passed away—
But don't give up love,
There are still people to love.
Tsunamis may be like anger,
Spread fear and sadness
But they can also be opportunities
To build new things
To build new love.
Dedicated to CSTC, the ones who are helping me.
The Way I'm Growing
by a young person at CSTC
Growing like a beautiful rose
Roses bringing love
But we'll start with love
For oneself,
And when I learn to love myself
I can blossom another rose
Which is my love for others
Where I can be happy
With the person who I want
To love but am not available for
Yet.
I wish I could be emotionally available
And someday I will
And me and that person
Will be so happy and in love
Like roses intertwining
And growing together
Like the roots connecting in the soil.
Flying
by a young person at CSTC
From fire I've come
To fire I am
Fire can burn, fire can heal
Though I'm not just fire, I'm water
And water can put out the fire
I've hurt myself too many times
But from the ashes and the muck
I've risen like a Phoenix
A fire bird of great beauty and majesty
A symbol of great strength
A leader so strong
I doubt but I know
I am fire, I am water
I am all that I see and everything in between
I know most pain and so I am, I am what I am
and I'm glad about what I am
Featured Image: Illustration by '" Jieyi Zhou.
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