The Deepest Truth

The Deepest Truth

By Bruce Knights

“Until the lion writes his own story, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

The Soy Autor writing process was developed in collaboration with young people at-risk of, victims of or perpetrators of violence in El Salvador. In 2017, this innovative program expanded into Chicago to create tangible high quality opportunities that nourish the minds, expand the voices and share the personal truths of young people who have long been underserved and underestimated.

Through the process of drafting, revising, illustrating and publishing memoirs, the Authors’ Circle members develop reflection, critical thinking, camaraderie, conflict resolution and positive self-projection.This Roseland Authors’ Circle has been based at the Youth Peace Center in Roseland, as part of Chicago CRED program.

In collaboration with:

The Deepest Truth Bruce Knights

I ask myself, why is life on my mind?

Why do we live in the world together but feel alone?

Who truly understands?

Why?

Is music my outlet when times get rough?

Is sex my definition of great pleasure?

Does the pain I receive define who I am?

Do drugs ruin my mind into thinking that it helps?

Do I live in a fantasy?

Or is reality so real that I wish I was living in one?

Am I surrounded by violence?

Does it influence my everyday life?

Am I really free?

Do I love life? The life I live.

Waking up in the middle of the night to shots echoing through the walkway from the alley to my bedroom.

Infuriated, very frustrated as I try to go back to sleep.

Being used to it still don’t change that it’s irritating.

I wake up to the sunrise and the smell of fresh cooked bacon my grandma made before she went to work.

It kept me sane until reality kicked in as I realized moments like this don’t last forever.

Time pass now, I’m outside with my A1 since day 1 same shit different day is what we say before we get the day started.

How can we come up today? The goal is to have more today than we did yesterday.

Hitting houses for jewelry or valuable goods.

Even empty houses was a profit, if you can get aluminum, copper or any metal it can be sold according to the weight.

Abandoned houses were my favorite, cause you never have to worry about people coming home to catch you.

All you needed was a ride to transport what you found.

I gained new eyes

I gained my new eyes when I found out that there were people who really wanted to see me succeed in life.

Being in YPC CRED program is what helped me look with new eyes.

Looking with new eyes helped me answer some of the questions I ask myself.

I am from switches, from monkey bars and stolen cars.

I am from the Harold’s Chicken, bitter, lemon flavored and spicy seasonings.

I am from the land of roses, where flowers and blood share the same corner.

I’m from Christmas lights in March and spraying clothes with starch, from Bruce and Nette.

I’m from anger and danger, from touch it if you want to and you better not.

I’m from Jesus to Yeezus.

I’m from the Chi and the deep southside, greens and chitterlings, from the woman who birthed 13 children and is known as my great grandma to her last baby, known as my grandma.

The dark skin, bold sins and storage in the basement.