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The Story of My Heart anthologizes 10 years of Pongo-facilitated poetry written with youth residents at Child Study & Treatment Center (CSTC). CSTC is Washington State's largest psychiatric hospital for teens and children. Pongo Poetry Project engages youth in writing poetry to inspire healing and growth. Pongo's process particularly supports underserved communities and those who have a hard time expressing themselves. Our trained staff and volunteers establish writing projects inside juvenile detention centers, psychiatric hospitals, community behavioral health centers, and other sites. Our primary purpose is to provide a space for authors to understand their feelings, find their voices, and express their hope for a better future. For counselors, teachers, caregivers, and peer mentors, Pongo offers national trainings, free web resources, and a book about our methodology, Writing with At-Risk Youth: The Pongo Teen Writing Method by Richard Gold, Pongo's Founder.
"I believe in everything Pongo does. The happy contagion which springs from telling one's own true story, writing one's own thoughts, following the trail of imagination, continues to pass from person to person as a healing gift. Listen to these brave, beautiful voices and feel fortified on your own trail."
NAOMI SHIHAB NYE, Poetry Foundation's 2019-2021, Young People's Poet Laureate, Author of Cast Away: Poems of Our Time
"The poems in this collection are rich, authentic, and deeply resonant. Heartbreak, longing, fear, anger, love, perseverance, and hope wrestle for the upper hand as the youth at CSTC let the power of their experiences spill onto the page. Pongo has a 25-year history of eliciting powerful and inspiring poetry from youth who have experienced significant life challenges, and The Story of My Heart extends that tradition with great sensitivity, grace, and humanity."
KEVIN JONES, PhD, LCSW, Assistant Professor, Dorothy Day Social Work Program, Department of Sociology and Social Work, University of Portland
"My life is like a light flickering, no longer hiding in the dark," writes the poet Fiona. Hers is one of a chorus of remarkable voices in The Story of My Heart. With honesty and courage, these young writers tell of struggles with abuse, addiction, mental illness. And yet, the poems gathered here also speak of strength and resilience, a will to go on "even when life crumbles like broken bottles." The work of Pongo and programs like it is vital, a testament to the healing powers of poetry. The poet Sasha writes, "The story of my heart is so high and shiny, only eagles hear it. Deep and velvety-moles wear it tunneling home."
ELLEN BASS, MA, Poet, Editor, Author of Indigo; Co-author of The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Sexual Abuse
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Read the first book and this 2nd one did not disappoint! Loved every chapter. More please!
Like it was written by George Santos
Received an Advanced Reader Copy from a friend. I am an avid true crime reader and upon completion I question if the author is credible. The timeline does not add up for his age and the times of his alleged involvement in organized crime. Some of the things in the book he is alleged to have said and done I remember almost word for word from movies I had previously watched. He literally stole a scene from the movie the accountant with Ben Affleck and said that he did it. I did a little research after completing the book and learned that this author was also claiming in 2010 that he was a long time member of the Bloods Gang. That coupled with the above leads me to believe that it is nothing more than fantasy. Do not waste your time or money
Like it was written by George Santos
Received an Advanced Reader Copy from a friend. I am an avid true crime reader and upon completion I question if the author is credible. The timeline does not add up for his age and the times of his alleged involvement in organized crime. Some of the things in the book he is alleged to have said and done I remember almost word for word from movies I had previously watched. He literally stole a scene from the movie the accountant with Ben Affleck and said that he did it. I did a little research after completing the book and learned that this author was also claiming in 2010 that he was a long time member of the Bloods Gang. That coupled with the above leads me to believe that it is nothing more than fantasy. Do not waste your time or money
What a difficult story to tell. I appreciate the honesty and vulnerability. Definitely made me think.
I had hopes for this book but was not expecting what I would read within the pages. If your kink is deplorable grammar, incoherent sentences, and inconsistent messages, then this book is for you. At first, I thought the book I received was not the book I ordered. But as I dived in, it was very confusing. I would not recommend this book to anyone
There are not many reviews on the internet for this book. In researching the many stores selling the book, it was self-published which makes a lot of sense. The online description is written perfectly, so reading the actual book was very difficult. Pages two and three are written clearly as well as the table of contents. Pages 155 and 156 are also written logically.
It appears this book was written, then sent through a program like “Grammarly.” Once completed it seems it was published without being re-read or edited. The first clue was the title narrative that used “Has” instead of “As.” The table of contents is one page off from what it shows on pages four though seven. Many of the “q’s” are written as “[]”
Below are some examples of what was within the pages of this book written verbatim:
“Chains & Discipline/ Domination & entry/ Sadism & Masochism (BDSM) is a wide classification of bed room play.” Page 9
“When bringing up the topic of chains, you are actually asking a person to offer you their depend on, their flexibility, and also possibly their suggestion of security in exchange for sensual/sexual enjoyment, power-play, and also feasible re-evaluation of your very own connection.” Page 39
“Techni[]ue can take a selection of kinds and also be as easy or facility as you pick to (new paragraph) bargain for your details scenario” Page 52
“BDSM stands for chains as well as entry, technique and also supremacy as well as sadism and also masochism.” Page 125
“SHELF means Risk Aware Consensual Kink.” Page 130
“Approval is whatever.” Page 152
“your twist isn’t my twist, yet your twist is OKAY.” Page 153
“You can be a top, base, or button” Page 153