Before You Judge Me, Just Know

Before You Judge Me, Just Know is mash-up compiled from student poems written by students at CAPE High School, Gena McGill's Class, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
Writer-in-residence: Eva Maria Sierra.

I’m an artist. I’m a dreamer. 
I’m a believer. I’m smart.
I’m caring. I’m strong.
I am a leader. I’m a son.
I’m a person. I am human and 
people should listen to 
what I have to say. 

I love myself because I’m alive.
I love myself because I have family 
who needs me.
I love myself because I need to.
I love myself for my mistakes. 
I love myself because I’m the only me.
We were all heaven-sent.

Home is the time I get to be free. 
Home is an important place for me.
I feel safe when I’m home.  
I feel brave when I see my family. 
Always be grateful in your life. 
Always love your family.
Yes to family. Yes to loyalty.
Yes to sunny days. Yes to freedom.  
I learned what to do and what not to do
and who to trust and who not to trust.
I just wanna know if you’re gonna 
be there by my side.

I want them to learn from my mistakes.
I want to be remembered as good-hearted. 
I want people to remember me as the kid 
who tries his best at everything I do. 
I want my people to know 
that when I was young I kept 
making mistakes over and over.
I want them to know I am still a good person 
no matter what you heard. 
I’m getting tired of doing the same thing. 

I just wanna cry. I just wonder why. 
I need to yell. Why must I be alone? 
No one left to trust around me.
Wet clothes and tired feet.
Why is this creek so deep? 
I’m screaming “FREE ME.”
Can you see me?

All I see is green.
I can’t wait 
to see the blue.

&&

Excerpts from, in order of appearance: 

Gilbert G., “My Voice Matters”
Derrick H., “My Voice Matters”
Antione L., “My Voice Matters”
Tayson S., “My Voice Matters” 
Karmelo N., “My Voice Matters”

Tayson S., “I Love Myself”
Jerramie B., “I Love Me”
Wendy S., “Heaven Is”

Anonymous., “Home Is…”
Julio V., “Home Is…”
Gilbert G., “Untitled (on Bravery)”
Alan S., “No Name”

Tyson C., “Yes To”
Marco P., “Yes To”
Derick H., “Untitled”
Tevion B., “Do or Die” 

Jacob S., “It Ain’t Worth It” 
Marco P., “Untitled”
Marquis R., “Untitled” 
Jaziel C., “Untitled”
Ezequiel C., “Untitled” 

Marcus W., “Piece of Mind” 
Giselle O., “untitled”
Abel A., “Untitled (on Bravery)”
Chaden P - “Rocky Trip”
Arnulfo M., “Sea Deep”

Xzavier A., “Home Soon”