The Compass
A book of poetry, diversity, reflection and direction
by
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The Battle
Will I succeed at this ultimate task?
I've challenged myself every moment passed.
But I have to lead, I have to survive,
For only I know deep inside,
That when the time comes, I have to stand strong,
To show others the real me, not just what they want me to be.
But if I fail-What happens then?
Do I try even harder and come back again?
Even if I fail, it doesn't really matter;
All if does is make me better.
But I know I will succed at the task...
Choosing to face my past.
Jake S. -Navigator Hall Executive Knight
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About the Book
"The compass: a book of poetry, diversity, reflection and direction," was written as a collection of poetry by the boys of Woodward Academy. The students come from many different backgrounds including street gangs, drugs, violence, abuse and neglect. Many of the students chose to write about their lives to leave behind a piece of themselves for other students to read in their struggles for a better life. The boys learned empathy, friendship, trust, compassion and tolerance while attending Woodward Academy and wanted to share these words with their families, friends, and peers. Most of all, they wanted a reminder of each other and the road they traveled together, to a better life.
About the Author
Woodward Academy is a boys' correctional facility in Woodward, IA. All of the students whose work appears in this book are writing from first hand knowledge of what life is like on the streets, in a gang, in a broken home or simply lost within one's self.
The poems herein were written as an English assignment for Ms. Davis' class. The book is intended to leave a legacy behind for future students of Woodward Academy to let them know that they are not alone in their struggles and to see what kind of changes can happen through compassion and trust.
All of the students who contributed to the writing of this book met their own personal goals in either their ability to write, their ability to share, or their ability to change through expression.