Hispanic Male Gang Member Poetry
 Hispanic male gang "poetry" is rare, as males often consider poetry "soft" writing. They often turn to rapping and flowing in order to express their thoughts and feelings, considering rap a more masculine form of expression.
Examples of male gang poetry of touch on issue of hurt, failure, fear, love. Above is a touching example of a younger brother's love for his older Hermano (brother). Hey, Big Hermano with the Cholo Walk
Where are you going? Is life on the clock? With your big knife so shiny; it shines like the sun You think you're bad, Bro? Think you're number one? I see you at home; you're still just a kid When they cut out your heart out will you still call them pigs? I know you won't do that 'cause dead men can't talk Cholo Chicano walking the the walk You think I care that you're so bad? I need you forever but you just make me sad. - Johnny Marquez Operation No Gangs www.operationnogangs.org copyright 2007 ONG-OnRampElPaso Rob Gallardo Letter from youth inmate at a Texas boot camp detention facility – Regret and Requestsletter to El Paso gang
prevention/intervention counselor from Texas youth boot camp inmate
Mr. G,
How are you doing, sir? Hope you are
doing well, sir. I'm doing good, sir.
This program is easy. I just have to
follow orders and listen.
How is Carina doing, sir? Could you say
hi to Carina for me? And what did she say about if she is going to
wait for me, sir? If she is not going to wait for me could you tell
her that just as friends. Tell her that I send her a lot of kisses
and that I love her. Please, sir. Could you do that for me, sir?
And what have you been doing, sir?
I wanted to tell you that I am very
thankful for everything you did for me, sir. And I'm very sorry for
disappointing you, sir, and not listening to your good advice, sir.
I'm very sorry, sir.
Thank you for writing to me, sir.
I will let you go, sir. I don't have
much to say.
I wanted to tell you one more thing,
sir. Could you take care of my sister? To follow the right path. To
behave good.
Well, I'll let you go, sir. Write back,
sir. Please.
Take care.
Sincerely, Oscar
Rob Gallardo, Director/Operation No Gangs El Paso, Texas
http://twitpic.com/photos/Op_NoGangs
|  Heavenly Father, please hear me tonight, I need so much guidance to live my life right. Sometimes the pressure is so hard to bear. I often wonder if anyone cares. How can I wake up and face a new day knowing I have to live my life this way? Heavenly Father, forgive all my sins, I want to change, but where do I begin? Please give me strength To resist the wild life I desire; And God, bless my mother who cries every night Worried if I'll be killed in another gang fight. Heavenly Father, please answer my prayers Let me know if You are listening up there. When will it all end? What is it for? To prove to my homies I'm down, I'm hardcore? Sometimes I wonder, how will I die, A bullet wound, or a knife in my side? Heavenly Father, please hear me tonight. Give me the courage and strength to live my life right. Show me the way. Show me the light. Help give my heart peace, so I won't have to fight. Thank you for your forgiveness, Lord And for still being there, But most of all Thanks for listening to this Gangster's Prayer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Boys of Our Town Have Joined Gangs - A Poem and a Prayer  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
