A Scrapbook of Thought by a Student of the Street"

Is my attempt to honor my father, my brother, and my mother

who live in my heart, even though they have left this earth.

It is a book of my words that show where my heart is.

I know street life, some would call me poor.

I know what I have had to overcome,

to see the beautiful life I live now.

I spent my youth wandering with no direction,

Existing from day to day.

My education came when I was locked up.

My loss of freedom made me grow up.

Losing my father, my brother, and my mother

made me see what I don't like.

Made me want to live and stop existing.

My brother and my mother left me while they were in California

and I was in Chicago.

I was not part of the funeral.

They are pictures on my wall.

This book is important to me because it is how I say

good bye.