Recent work from Nowell Leadership Academy Apprentices
I’m Alive by Daniel Baya 4/9/20
I’m alive and i’m breathing
Maybe I’m here for the right reason
All my life i’ve taken a beaten
But i’m still unbeaten
I grew up a little too fast
I was just trying to run away from my past
Eventually that shit caught up and whooped my ass
Shit, I just look back and laugh
I grew up to love others
That’s the reason why I have childhood brothers
But loving myself? I’d rather swim in cold waters
I hate understanding myself
But not understanding my mind
I understand why I cry
I don’t understand my own lies
I even hate my own eyes
Fuck i know i’m stubborn
They keep trying to push me
I’m burning rubber
My thoughts are cluttered
It was me and 4 others with a single mother
I parted away cause it was getting harder
I tried different options
Look at me now
I live with my father
It’s funny how life works
You get your feelings hurt
All that pain returns
Except without the hurt
Even though the pain is there
It’s not as painful here
I’m thankful to be here
If it wasn’t for giving myself
A second chance
I’d hate myself
And that wasn’t the plan
I’m now a man
I’m a future fireman
I’m alive and i’m on fire
I guess i am a fireman
-Miche’le Fontes, NLA Site Manager