I Can’t Remember

I can’t remember
skipping rocks on the beach
My childhoods forgotten
My childhoods lost.

Going to the doctor
Making mud cakes
Playing with friends in the street.

I can’t remember
All the bereavement
My childhoods forgotten
My childhoods lost.

The doctor doing surgery
Me getting pain pills
I can’t remember any of it
None of it’s clear.

I still can’t remember,
How it’s gone
My childhoods forgotten
My childhoods lost.


by Jamesha Willis

RIP Amanda Michelle Todd - November 27, 1996 - October 10, 2012

In her life Amanda Todd suffered at the hands of bullies who stalked her and harassed her, in an ordeal that started in cyberspace and spilled into the schoolyard.

Before she died at the age of 15, Amanda created a video telling of her painful experiences in the hope of saving other youths such suffering.

"I'm not doing this for attention. I'm doing this to be an inspiration and to show that I can be strong," Amanda wrote.

Her dream of helping kids is being carried on in the Amanda Todd Legacy, established by her family. This initiative will raise money for anti-bullying education and for support programs to help young people with mental health problems.

Despite growing awareness about the potentially devastating consequences of bullying, advocates working to combat the problem say they're badly in need of financial support.

The Todd family knows Amanda would want to help, to see her mission carried on.

"Amanda was a very caring individual. She would help others who needed help," Amanda's mother Carol told the Vancouver Sun. "One of Amanda's goals was to get her message out there and have it used as a learning tool for others."

It is a message that must be heard; a message aimed at ending bullying.

"We as adults have to pay attention to it. We have to recognize when we see it happening, and then once we see it happening we have to address it properly," British Columbia Premier Christy Clark told the Vancouver Sun in an interview following Amanda's death. "I don't believe for a second that anyone who is bullied doesn't want to report the fact that they were bullied; they don't trust that the people to whom they'll report it will use the information in a way that's going to protect them."

As reported by the Vancouver Sun, "In putting together her video, which Amanda did all on her own, Carol said her daughter wanted to help other young people who are being bullied and to bring attention and education to the problem in the hope of seeing it eradicated."

"I have lost one child but know she wanted her story to save 1,000 more."

For more information please visit:

https://vancouverfoundation.ca/Amanda/donateonline.asp 

Native Commandments

Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.
Remain close to the Great Spirit.
Show great respect for your fellow beings.
Work together for the benefit of all Mankind.
Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.
Do what you know to be right.
Look after the well being of mind and body.
Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.
Be truthful and honest at all times.
Take full responsibility for your actions.
Let us greet the dawn of a new day
when all can live as one with nature
and peace reigns everywhere.
Oh Great Spirit, bring to our brothers
the wisdom of Nature and the knowledge
that if her laws are obeyed
this land will again flourish
and grasses and trees will grow as before.
Guide those that through their councils
seek to spread the wisdom of their leaders to all people.
Heal the raw wounds of the earth
and restore to our soul the richness
which strengthens men's bodies
and makes them wise in their councils.
Bring to all the knowledge that great cities
live only through the bounty
of the good earth beyond their paved streets
and towers of stone and steel.


by  Jasper Saunkeah, Cherokee

MY PROMISE TO YOU

I'll never forget,
The first that we met,
I remember it like it was yesterday,
It's stays deep in my heart,
The day you found me.
~*~
We have promised that we would give
To each other all there is to give
For as long as we both shall live.
~*~
I never want wealth or fame,
I only want to have your name,
I only want to wear
That tiny band of gold
And always have to you hold.
~*~
I will keep my promise to you,
I will never be untrue,
Even though sometimes I will be
Away from you.
~*~
I will never break your heart,
I've always loved you from the start,
I must say to you this very special day,
I won't let it take my pride,
I want to be your bride.
~*~
I will never let you feel empty inside,
I will never break the ties that bind,
I will never leave you behind,
I will never let our love die.
~*~
So I make another promise to you, my love,
We will live and we will learn,
And where ever you may go,
My heart will always follow.
~*~
And now it's plain to see,
The the promise's that I have made to thee,
Will show in time, you see,
That you and I will never be lonely,
I love this you and me.


by  Sherri Emily Avery

Standing Alone

I can see the flower upon which my life grows, blooming into a rose.

See the hope and courage in the strength of the petals.
As long as I am, I will be.
The flower will never wilt or die.
As my life grows back, I shall become strong.
I shall become only dependent on one.
That one will be me.
I will rise with my petals high.
My life as a flower will bloom and prosper as I grow.
I may not be the pick of the patch, but I am just as beautiful as the rest.

I will stand as one, but not a lonely soul.
The tears will be far from my smile.


by Chase

Fifteen Crosses

I had a dream I was kneeling, at fifteen crosses on the hill
Not a whisper from the trees, everything was still,
I felt a sadness in my heart, an empty kind of pain,
Fifteen souls had gone away, only memories remained.
I tried to cry out to ease my grief,
Lifted my hands to heaven, prayed God's relief.
Not a sound or a word, emptiness abounds,
My sorrow overcoming, I began to drown.
Such bitter suffocation, I wish someone could hear,
Why we let this happen , in my dream nothing was clear.
I shook my fist to heaven and begged for reasons why,
But only silence spoke, offering no reply.
No sound came from my lips even as I screamed,
I prayed it's just a nightmare, an awful kind of dream.
Then I heard a choir of angels beckoning from above.
"The world is reaping hatred,"
"Because the world's not sowing love."
"You should embrace each other's differences no matter what they may be,"
"And enlighten each other with the hope of peace and unity."
When the angel finished speaking, she ended with a sigh,
Gazing down at fifteen crosses of fifteen souls who said goodbye.
Then the heavens opened up, the angels giving way,
up to the gates of heaven, Amazing grace began to play.
And as they left this Earthly realm the angels were downhearted looking
back at fifteen crosses of the recently departed.
A soft rain began falling, but no cloud was in the sky,
Then Jesus whispered to me, "This is how the angels cry."

 by Lisa Teller

A Crystal Meth Poem

If my glamorous lifestyle is appealing to you.

And you want to try me because you've nothing to lose.

Then, let me give you a bit of advice.

You are a fool. And you'd better think twice.

I destroy homes. I tear families apart.

I take your children and that's just the start.

I'm more valued than diamonds.

More precious than gold.

The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.

If you need me, remember; I'm easily found.

I live all around you. In school and in town.

I live with the rich. I live with the poor.

I live just down the road. And maybe next door.

I'm made in a lab, but not in one like you think.

I can be made under your kitchen sink.

Or in your child's closet and even out in the woods.

If this scares you to death, It certainly should.

I have many names, one you'll know best.

I'm sure you've heard of me. My name's Crystal Meth.

My power is awesome. Try me you'll see.

But if you do, You may never break free.

Just try me once and I might let you go.

But if you try me twice, then I own your soul.

When I posses you, You'll steal and lie.

You'll do what you have to Just to get high.

The crimes you'll commit, For my narcotic charms

Will be worth the pleasure, You'll feel in my arms.

You'll lie to your mother. You'll steal from your dad.

When you see their tears you must not feel sad.

Just forget your morals and how you were raised.

I'll be your conscious. I'll teach you my ways.

I take kids from their parents. I take parents from kids.

I turn people from God. I separate friends.

I'll take everything from you; Even your good looks and your pride.

I'll be with you always. Right here by your side.

You'll give up everything; Your family, your home

Your money, your friends, You'll be all alone.

I'll take and I'll take 'Til you've no more to give.

When I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live.

If you try me be warned: THIS IS NOT A GAME.

If I'm given the chance, I'll drive you insane.

I'll ravage your body. I'll control your mind.

I'll own you completely. Your soul will be mine.

The nightmares I'll give you when your lying in bed.

And the voices you'll hear from inside your head.

The sweats, the shakes, and the visions you'll see.

I want you to know: These are your gifts from me.

By then it's to late and you'll know in your heart

That you are now mine, And we shall not part.

You'll regret that you tried me. (They always do.)

Remember, you came to me. Not I, to you.

You knew this would happen. How many times were you told?

But you challenged my power. You chose to be bold.

You could have said "No" and then walked away.

If you could live that day over now, what would you say?

My power is awesome as I told you before.

I can take your mother and turn her into a whore.

Go ahead and curse me with every breath.

Just make your choice: Will it be life or meth?

You will take unknown paths on your journey through life.

Some will bring happiness. Some will bring strife.

But, my path is one you must not ever cross.

Although it's well trodden countless lives have been lost.

Now that you've met me, what will you do?

Will you try me or not? It's all up to you.

I can show you more misery than words can tell.

Come, take my hand. Let me lead you to Hell.

Meth Kills!!