Ramsey Arteaga brought a message Tuesday to the Kent City Council, in verse.
Arteaga, a recent graduate of Kent-Meridian High School with plans to attend Green River Community College, recited a poem he wrote concerning drug abuse.
Mayor Suzette Cooke said she met Arteaga and added she was, “so impressed by his work that was on display and his poem.”
Arteaga said the poem was inspired by the difficulties in his life and the effect drugs and alcohol have had on members of his family.
“Basically, I want to keep kids off drugs,” Arteaga said. “I want to lead them to a better path. I thought it might be something they could relate to.”
Arteaga said he hopes to become a counselor after attending college.
Cheri Ayres-Graves, a member of the Solid Rock Community Church that meets at Kentwood High, said Arteaga has been an inspiration.
“He has a passion to keep going through difficult odds,” Ayres-Graves said. “He has a passion to tell people.”
Poem
By Ramsey Arteaga
Another day in the life of staying high
is just another day rolling by.
I understand taking a hit of that Mary Jane
is a high you can’t resist,
but dang it’s got me so pissed.
You see your folks can’t take anymore,
so what are you doing this for.
You say drugs help ease your mind,
brothers, sisters please take a moment and just freeze.
Bro and sis, some advice, live on a natural high,
I’m telling you this because you’ve got potential,
but this potential you don’t see
because the drugs got you so possessed,
and it’s got me so depressed.
It’s like a dark cloud over my head.
I go to bed and pray that you’re not dead.
Check this out,
when I grow up I want to be poetic,
learn the ABCs and become alphabetic.
Get kids and pray for them to become athletic.
I hope they don’t do drugs it’s so pathetic.
So remember to live life on a natural high,
cause I don’t want to see another minute pass you by.
My poem is over now so clap as I take a bow,
and remember drugs is what I disallow.
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