Many people were moved by the poems from the young women at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center that were put together in a chapbook titled “Words Stronger Than Walls.” Since the first few poems were so well-received, I wanted to share a few more here.

Speaking Without A Tongue
By Paris

I want to be a singer so I come up with a tune
I want to be a dancer so I prance across the room

I want to be a model so I sashay across the stage
I want that guy to notice me so I lie about my age

I want to feel beautiful so I go to his house
I want him to love me so I have sex with him on his couch

I wake up the next day and he says I have to leave
I say I want to stay, he says ‘not unless you get on your knees’

Couple of days later we chillin’, smokin’ dope
I must have laughed too hard ’cause next thing you know his hands
are around my throat

I was so confused didn’t know what to do but stand there and stare
Then I chalked it up and said ‘so what?’ because this must mean he
really cares

I walk around like I’m walking on glass, trying to ignore the pain
Telling myself he just needs my love and one day he will change

What I didn’t know was that if he changed for me, it would be too late
If I don’t get out now I may never escape

To all my sisters living with an abusive man
If you want to help yourself, or someone else, you have to take a stand

Don’t be like me and let love blind you from the truth.
When you see the scars and bruises, those should be enough proof

I tell you this because you don’t have to wait —
When I finally tried to open my mouth it was already too late.

If you wait too long the damage may already be done
Take it from me — it’s hard to speak
Once you’ve already lost your tongue.

Depression
By Heather

I see you and I see me
I see trees but no leaves
I feel wind but no breeze
But what I’ve really been wondering
Is why I let these streets control me
It feels like I’m blind and can’t see
Because I let depression overcome me.

In and Out of Jail
By Patricia

In and out of jail was where I thought it was.
Hanging with the wrong crowd making money, selling drugs.
I thought I was smart but all I was, was dumb.

Selling to kids, even pregnant women.
Just trying to get money, making money the wrong way.
Now look where I’m at — they got me.

Now I’m looking stupid, staring at the bricks.
Eating dog food, can’t wash up when I want to.
I’m just a fool and an idiot
Mad at the world because of my mistakes

But it’s ok because now I’m going the right way
Just had a baby on June 17
he’s 7 months and I’m still with his daddy
Look at me now successful as can be.

Forgive Me
by Paulette

Mama are you listening
I need your love today
Mama can you hear me
I need your help today
Mama can you help me
I need you everyday
Mama can you forgive me
Because I caused you pain
Mama please believe me
I need you everyday
Mama please I need you
I didn’t mean to cause you no pain
So Mama please believe me
I know that you are with me
Just please don’t leave me
I need you everyway
Mama just please forgive me
I want to come back home.

When I look up
by Antonia

Every time I look up at the walls in my cell
I get a frown on my face.
Ask myself why am I in here again
When I could be at home
Treated like a queen?
I won’t hesitate to rock the world
But like they say,
Maybe God wanted me here for a reason.
If not I would have been at the crib
Acting a fool in da hood!
My life is a shame.
I will never be da same gurl again.
But like they say,
Life only shines when you’ve got freedom.
When the bricks fall it’s dark and evil.

Life is short.
Life is real.