Sharing writings such as stories, poems, songs, or art and other creative works created by students and partners of Contra Costa Adult School Community
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.
DEUCEisnotfun,it’scrucial.
Usingthetoolscanbeveryuseful.
Ihavebeeninvolvedinanythingandeverythingnegative. ItalmostdestroyedmylifeuntilIcametoMarshCreek. Iwenttoorientationforthesolepurposetohave representationoftherighttocontrolmylife.
ThechoicesImadebeforeenteringDEUCEclassaregone.
ThatiswhyIwritethispoem.
I’mgoingtochangemylifeandnotuse.
ThatiswhyIcontinuetocometoDEUCE
Deuceismadeofdiscovery,thingsofmypast. Ihavedonealotofbadthings.
Nobody’sperfect.
MicahM.
NowthatI’mtakingDEUCEIseealotofopportunitiesto change. I’mgladItookthisclassand,hopefully,Iwillchangefora betterrecoveryandahealthypathandabetterfuture.
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.
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 off; you are a king!!
Emani T.
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. He’s kept me alive and I’m still here. Thank you, God, You’ve saved my year. Deuces!
By WLJ,
July, 2024
May I
By MVM, 8/3/22
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
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 I be of benefit to all May my life enrich others
May I know what matters And live in harmony with nature
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
