Let's Connect! September 2024

Sharing writings such as stories, poems, songs, or art and other creative works

created by students and partners of Contra Costa Adult School Community

Let's Connect Vol 2: Publication of Good News! Personal Development

September 2024

What is DEUCE? 2024 DEUCE Class Deuce is like a second chance at life to correct your wrongs. Time to make things right.

Lookin’ back on life we all make our mistakes and to change my ways, I’ll do whatever it takes.

When I think about my future, I get high hopes. And now with DEUCE they have gone and shown me the ropes. I always help others whenever I can. It helps me too. It molds me as a man.

Just takin’ it easy, one day at a time. If it's not good for me, gotta leave it behind. Clean & sober living, I will be walkin’ with God and things I learned from DEUCE, help me stay on my job.

Kamari R.

Sitting in Jail, the School of Hard Knocks.

The best school to be, with my eye on the clock.

I have been here before, and for the same case.

But this time was alcohol, with shame on my face.

I don’t learn well, with self-talk or with books.

I need to feel the pain with the murderers and crooks.

This be my own path, I walk it at last.

But will this be the last, the wreck and the crash?

With one foot forward, I’m slow with the beat.

My will is all crushed, I’m here in defeat.

So now I am here, with anger and pain.

It is all self-sabotage, slow suicide and insane.

My faith is all off, my shame is so dark.

Angels shaking their heads, demons leaving marks.

I need to be here and learn a better way.

Sacrifice all my will, so God can have takes.

C. T.

DEUCE is not fun, it’s crucial.

Using the tools can be very useful.

I have been involved in anything and everything negative.

It almost destroyed my life until I came to Marsh Creek.

I went to orientation for the sole purpose to have

representation of the right to control my life.

The choices I made before entering DEUCE class are gone.

That is why I write this poem.

I’m going to change my life and not use.

That is why I continue to come to DEUCE Micah M.

Deuce is made of discovery, things of my past.

I have done a lot of bad things.

Nobody’s perfect.

Now that I’m taking DEUCE I see a lot of opportunities to

change.

I’m glad I took this class and, hopefully, I will change for a better recovery and a healthy path and a better future.

Kevin G.

DEUCE is a program to me that can show me to see what and how my addiction has taken control of my life.

How I can’t understand why I keep going to jail. DEUCE can give me the tools, the words that I can put to use in my daily life.

The DEUCE Program teaches me to have new thoughts and feelings that I don’t know that I’ve got.

DEUCE can help me identify my weaknesses. When in time of craving, I can have a support group and a list of people and friends that is available for me to call upon. DEUCE can help me and my life if I truly take all the tools that this program provides for me.

Through meditation, knowing the signs that it’s about time to search for help.

So far I am still learning. Learning is life.

Life is learning.

Quoc T.

DEUCE is an opportunity for people seeking light in a dark place. Looking into mirrors one unifies self, face to face. A time to step out of time and enter a different dimension that only spirit-filled beings mention. Reversing polarities, creating alternate realities thus sending shock waves and vibrations that explode into power moves that gain momentum into ways where there was no way. Keeping pieces to the puzzle and tools gathered up from their youth, making no excuses, they begin to precisely execute goals and mission without intermission, making the impossible just an obstacle. Having been purged in the fire of adversity, they come out refined as gold.

Remembering times of old, the present becomes one’s gift, enough uplift to catch wisdom’s drift. Smoothly moving transition position out of crooked turns, shifting into straight path accelerating passed opposition. Ones path becomes clear vision, surging forward. Balance is obtained through the renewing of the brain. Discipline becomes one’s true nature. 3,2,1, now the countdown begins…launch, propelling you through where once the sky was the limit to infinity and beyond. Once upon a time you were a pawn on a chess board but through proper planning you prevented poor performance. Moved clearly across the board knocking out your opponents like the team mean grilling. Keep going forward. It’s your choice.

Your attack to achieve “checkmate” and win your successful destiny.

Anonymous

DEUCE is for people who want to see change. Change in yourself or people around you. Living happily, drug free with a high self-worth. My future is brighter, my worries are less. DEUCE is for people who want to lose stress.

Bobby B.

****************************************************************************************

DEUCE is for people that want to turn around. Have a newer and brighter outlook on life and leave the past in the past.

But we use those dark times to ensure a brighter future.

Use the past for motivation to success and put trust in God that He will bring you to the light. DEUCE is for people that want to live a life of fulfillment and purpose.

Scott B. ****************************************************************************************

DEUCE to me is my rock. Makes me use my Higher Power. I

think outside the flock. The flock never admits the problem, so no one wants change and addiction never stops. I meditate and do the Steps. If people are not stepping with me, they get caught up again, over and over, the insanity will never stop. My poem, my rap, it is all about DEUCE being my rock.

James C.

DEUCE is my Redemption.

DEUCE is growth.

DEUCE is where you find out what matters the most.

DEUCE is where you challenge your thoughts, what you are accustomed to

and give up your faults.

Be a better person, sharpen your tools, Look in the mirror tell yourself, “you are no fool” Be YOU. Be the best you that you can be.

Dust yourself

DEUCE is for me now, I’m in jail.

Out on the streets I was in hell.

What you gone do when they come 4 u?

I’m a jump up to God and see Him too.

Jail is a one-on-one lock down A Call from above.

If it wasn’t then, God you wouldn’t love.

Now it’s my turn to sit and learn, So, when I get out, I can spend what I earned.

$ stacked to the sky, Without God I would die.

off; you are a king!!

He’s kept me alive and I’m still here.

Thank you, God,

Emani T.

You’ve saved my year.

Deuces!

By WLJ, July, 2024

May I

By MVM, 8/3/22

Success Story

By MVM, 8/3/22

I used to have a bad addiction problem – alcohol.

I would get angry by all the hurt and pain I went through growing up.

It made me feel invisible or unstoppable in a way, but I had a support person which helped.

Now I face different challenges in which I need to face myself.

One day at a time – strive for betterment – push, pull, strive.

Only the strong survive. Push, pull, soldiers on the rise.

May my heart be gentle My mind still and open My spirit unshackled My awareness keen My conscience clear My nature giving May I have a healing energy May I be of benefit to all May my life enrich others May I know what matters And live in harmony with nature

Drawing By MVM, 8/3/22

Lock Down 1st In-Jail Poem, May 31, 2024 In this time standin’ in pain Don’t worry about Lockdown rain Stay in good spirits with bad life Make a way through doors of Christ Keep your mind steadfast on good God will chop demons just like wood Even though we’re lockdown now That’s what we need to take the last bow Stay ahead with no way to go And be the light in the night to glow Because at the end of this fight God straightens every nail upright I’ll be that caged lockdown dove So, I can receive all God’s lockdown love.

TO A VERY SPECIAL U GOD LOVES US!

By P.S.R., July, 2024

Places never been

By KM May 2023

She fills her bed with empty lovers.

Toss and turn beneath the covers.

This hurts her mind, body and soul.

In her life she needs control.

The lack of love, respect and caring no longer can her heart go bearing.

We live in fear to be alone One who hasn’t sinned cast the first stone Tears of pain fall from her face as a soaring bird falls from grace.

Free with flight he’ll be again while her heart seeks places never been.

DEUCE Is

By R.W. May 2023

DEUCE has showed me that it’s OK that I’ve had a hard start growing up.

That I can still change and choose the right path for me.

I’ve learned how to write my feelings down and get all that trauma I’ve kept buried deep down inside my soul, out on paper.

Thank you so much for giving me a chance to be able to learn so much about myself.

DEUCE IS...Poem DEUCE is a part of who I am today.

Repairing my past toxicity’s Letting go of bad habits.

Encouraging self-growth

Welcoming a new way of life.

DEUCE is my toolbox for recovery.

AC, July, 2024

Hello Disease?

By Gia 2/2023

I read the poem you sent to me today And I must say I’m not surprised It was only confirmation That it’s time to say goodbye I’ve dived below my decency Lying to myself, my friends and family Defending this faced of our love Make-believing it to be real Becoming so intrigued By your sultry appeal Quenched with temporary courage And lawless lust A wicked self-destruction A pit fire burning gut For the thrill of deadly terror Living in the fast lane Young arrogant and dumb Numb to my pain Intoxicated eternally from life until death To have and to hold with every last breath Turning a blind eye, denying everything Ignoring the horrible person I was becoming The more I hunted you, the worse I became Irreparable damage, and you I would blame All that I had that meant the most to me Was completely replaced by you eventually

Together we’d fall asleep and wake in unity At work and social circles for everyone to see I even brought you to church We’d sit for hours, and we’d pray Convinced we’d last forever Because you were there every day You promised to do for me What no one else would do Diabetes and high blood pressure I’ve been such a fool No house and no car – lost my job too I can’t do this anymore. It's me, not you!

I felt good in the moment But worse when we were through To my higher power and thy own self be true I fell in love with me again There’s no more me and you So, understand this. You don’t get the last word I’m thinking clear, my speech is not slurred I’m clean and I’m sober, clear vision not blurred I’m pulling the plug. I found out who I am.

Gratefully recovering in a 12-step program

DEUCE Is…Poem…Rap

By GB May 2023

I’m gunna take it from the top & tell ya what DEUCE is.

Listen up close, I got it down like a whiz I ended up in jail. Wasn’t taking care of biz.

It was all ego, like a soda – no fizz.

Caught a DUI. I was drunk being loose.

Dippin’ and swervin’, cranberry Grey Goose.

On my way to my bod, I was trying to seduce.

Increasing my speed, not trying to reduce.

Pulled over by cops, they saw me sippin’ on ‘juice’, And threw me in a cell. I’m doing time recluse.

At the bottom I’m back Again, my life is off track Cuz I tried to be slick Tried to slide through the crack Saved by Grace to God, I made a truce.

Never drink and drive again Cute, fly nor spruce Crash, jail, even death I’m cook, it’s no use.

Yeah, I got it down now, And I owe it all to DEUCE!

DEUCE is JD, June, 2022

I’ve never experienced addiction personally in my life.

I have watched many people that I love trade

everything for a substance – their children, their health, their freedom and their loved ones who didn’t stand a chance against their addiction.

I’ve seen it turn incredible loving people into unrecognizable monsters.

All I can hope is that one day they find their way back to me.

DEUCE Is

DEUCE Is

Staying on the path rather than being kept on the path

DEUCE is for women and men who have been exposed.

They are tools needed for their journey in search of their recovery.

We hope to gain a new understanding of the word recovery.

Understanding time only moves forward and we can change this We look forward to learning new concepts never before taughtfrom to us as wemoment listen to every new lesson while on this trip to new found knowledge and discovery.

Finding self-worth in small victories

We hope this will give us the perspective and willpower to remain sober and in power!

Having a solid understanding of my wants and needs

We can always reminisce the past, but to look forward is what is honestly going to matter.

Self-control and resistance to distractions Independence and reliability

Live each day with gratitude.

Understanding the sun doesn’t try to do the rain’s work

We will decide each day to live sincerely to one another, make and keep goals and follow through on listening to the teacher and the lessons; and apply all of this to each new day.

Accepting some things as they are and how they are Then we expose ourselves, which is negative anyways, into a new light to finally tether away all our dark matter. perceived is internal To keep a new image of myself today and how I feel to the way I feel and think each day and the way we can only be for that day!

Discipline of action; controlling how I react to things within I can not think of my excuses of the past. I know it will take a new my control perspective to make this last.

Discipline of will; governing my attitude towards things It will definitely be more rewarding to graduate all theseoutside barriers by of my control Jail house sober and clean is also very convenient. completing all the phases.

Anonymous

And understanding the phases of addiction, relapse and reentry will keep my new way of life exposed to everything of truth and life.

Hold only my new light and look forward to sun rays and not just the lighting change naturally from the opaque column rays in my cell.

I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

I sure do hope God never takes away from my freedom again.

I believe this is the way God intended for me to change my old ways and throw away the drugs that have led me astray into prison anyways!

“From: The Trouble Maker” Carolyn R. May, 2023

DEUCE Is DEUCE is for women and men who have been exposed.

They are tools needed for their journey in search of their recovery.

We hope to gain a new understanding of the word recovery.

We look forward to learning new concepts never before taught to us as we listen to every new lesson while on this trip to new found knowledge and discovery.

We hope this will give us the perspective and willpower to remain sober and in power!

We can always reminisce the past, but to look forward is what is honestly going to matter.

Live each day with gratitude.

We will decide each day to live sincerely to one another, make and keep goals and follow through on listening to the teacher and the lessons; and apply all of this to each new day.

Then we expose ourselves, which is negative anyways, into a new light to finally tether away all our dark matter.

To keep a new image of myself today and how I feel to the way I feel and think each day and the way we can only be for that day!

I can not think of my excuses of the past. I know it will take a new perspective to make this last.

Jail house sober and clean is also very convenient.

It will definitely be more rewarding to graduate all these barriers by completing all the phases.

And understanding the phases of addiction, relapse and reentry will keep my new way of life exposed to everything of truth and life.

Hold only my new light and look forward to sun rays and not just the lighting change naturally from the opaque column rays in my cell.

I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.

I sure do hope God never takes away from my freedom again.

I believe this is the way God intended for me to change my old ways and throw away the drugs that have led me astray into prison anyways!

“From: The Trouble Maker” C.R..M., 2023

Life is a Blessing

By LD, 9/3/22

I’m blessed just to Breath In God I trust and Believe Every day is a Blessing

Drawing By MVM, 8/3/22

Why waste it Stressing I’m blessed Success to Create Story

May I

I master my Fate8/3/22

By MVM,

By MVM, 8/3/22

May my heart be gentle

I used to have a bad addiction I’m–Blessed problem alcohol.

My mind still andWith openeach day to know

In the Hands of GodI would my worry’s Restby all the hurt and get angry My spirit unshackled pain I went through growing up.

My awareness keen My conscience clear My nature giving

Today I found a Sign It made me feel invisible or

unstoppable That gives me Peace of Mindin a way, but I had a

support person which helped.

It read…

May I have a healing energy

Now I face different challenges in which I need to face myself.

“Lifetoisalla blessing that defies the curse May I be of benefit

For whatothers may be wrongOne could always be worse” May my life enrich day at a time – strive for May I know what matters

betterment – push, pull, strive.

And live in harmony with nature

Only the strong survive. Push, pull, soldiers on the rise.

To get in on future

publications…