The Miami Youth Academy houses up to 28 boys from 14 to 18 years old, who are sent there by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. The students publish stories and poems for their student newspaper Titan Tribune, which they produce in a journalism class run by Exchange for Change, a local nonprofit group that teaches writing classes in youth commitment and adult correctional facilities. Retired newspaper reporter Henry Unger has taught the class for nearly two years in collaboration with the academy and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
This is a poem from the May 2021 issue. It won first place for middle school in Miami-Dade County Public School’s PIANO SLAM 13 contest. The student is identified by initials to protect their identities.
By M. D.
The poem of my life is like the ocean
Because all the things here are in motion
I’m baffled when I think about how I got to this beach
The rhythm I followed created the song of me
I think that how I act is part of it, part of my beat
But to make the beat right I had to make sacrifices
Those sacrifices got me into trouble
Music was too loud
I wrote the wrong songs trying to make a hit
My song until now, “I have to hustle”
I have to change my mindset, my song list
I have to ask myself if I can maintain the beat
Sometimes I tell myself I’m bored
Maybe I can try gospel, talk to the lord
Then, they got me right off the map
Now how will I start my career in rap?
When I got in my cell I felt crossed from the back
But I’m in a groove now and I don’t have to pack
I don’t know why I’m down so much, I’m too sad
Do you know how it feels to not have a dad?
Do you know how it feels to get locked up?
It’s like playing the blues on a loop, it feels bad
Tempo building up, I’m just so freaking mad
My new album comes out in June, “Freedom”
I think I can make it if I write a new song
With a steady time signature to move me along
I won’t worry about the noise behind my back
I have to focus on my rhythm and properly act
I know I’m young, and I’m still learning to dance
The ocean is wide, I can’t take it in at a glance
It’s always in motion like a song or a groove
But with a calm beat and soft winds and some love
I might keep mine smooth
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