Original Poetry
I am a part of the Venezuelans who are
working to restore the democracy in my country.
I am from a group that doesn't know the answer to the
question, “Where are you from?"
I am from a new country, and my heart is divided
between my love for Venezuela and for The United States.
Patricia Andrade has a positive attitude toward her studies. She has a
strong sense of responsibility and civic duty as she strives hard to do her
best academically. Patricia studies with TLC Online at The English
Center, and her teacher is Ms. Pruitt.
PaintbrushI keep my paint brush with me wherever I go.
In case I need to cover up, so the real me doesn't show.
I'm so afraid to show you me, afraid of what you might do.
That you might laugh or say mean things.
I'm afraid I might lose you, too.
I 'd like to remove my coats of paint
Show you the real true me. Accept what you see.
Please be patient and close your eyes.
I will strip off my coats real slow.
Please understand how much it hurts
to let the real me show.
Now that my coats are all stripped off
I stand here naked, bare, and cold.
And if you still love me with all you see,
you my friend are true gold.
I need to save my paint brush though,
and hold it in my hand.
I want to keep it close in case someone doesn't understand.
So, please protect me my friend
Thanks for loving me true,
But please let me keep my paintbrush with me
until “I love me too!”
Patty Bigbee is in ABE III classes at Gadsden Correctional Facility. She
wrote this poem to describe how she feels about herself and her life
outside these walls.
THE WOMANThis great person we call a woman