I think if I show them the goodness in my heart
They might feel that they can make a brand new start
The other staff there tell me no
They say it's a mistake to let it show
You cannot let yourself be fooled
Your feelings must be overruled
Because you care you show them kindness
Which they only mistake for a weakness

Ask the boyz at Tryon if they think so
I don't believe they've ever had the chance to really know
When they had no real life at home
When hate walks every street they roam
When pops leaves moms to raise their son
When it's dinner time but in the cupboards there is none
When the kids begin to cry she knows the answer all too well
When there's only one thing she has left that she can sell

When they're asleep I wish I could see all of their dreams
Are they really that bad or is it just the way it seems?
Is there hope in their minds to find a better way?
Is there love in their hearts or is it just a word to say?
Is there a future for them when they leave the gate?
Is there anyone who can save them from their fate?
Is there a ship of broken dreams just waiting to set sail?
Is it true their boat is on a course that only leads to jail?

Well the boyz at Tryon, they don't think so
They want to leave, they want to find a better place to go
I hope they find a better way of life
I hope they learn how to truly love a wife
I hope they grow into who they potentially can be
I hope they understand that pride is not they key
I hope they overcome the hatred standing in their way
I hope they know the future doesn't end today

03/26/2001

Author's Note: Written when I was leaving Tryon. A retrospective of sorts after three tumultuous years that changed my life and sent me down a career path that continues today, though in a somewhat modified form. My former best friend convinced me to apply for a job there because he said I had a good heart and would work well with the kids there. After four months of being roommates, our 20 year friendship had come to an end. One year later, he took his life and I was given his job at work, temporarily, before I even knew he was dead. It was on my first shift following his suicide that I even found he had killed himself. I was literally sitting in his chair, at his desk when one of the other employees asked me how I was dealing with it. I had no idea what he was talking about at first, and then he told me. I was stunned, finding out my closest friend for many years had locked himself in his garage, turned on his car and slowly ended his life. It made working there a very unhappy experience, even for all the good I felt I was doing, I never felt the same there after that. I still wanted to help kids, but it wasn�t how I thought it would be. JJ

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Posted on 10/09/2005
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