The following poems were written by participants in the City House spirituality group at Eden House for Valentines Day 2011:

Core of a Man
In the depth of a man
comes the warmth of a king
strong essence of a gentleman
and the strength of his being
So to be a man is unique
his thoughts are intriguing
because not only does a man
express his love
but always demonstrates his feelings
- Gerald AKA Sonny


Today is another day at Eden House I say
I woke up one morning and said
"Its time to go astray"
two of my friends said, "won't you stay?"
I cried and cried and said, "Its time to obey"
All that day, I don't know what to say
I call my wife and she said, "Just don't leave today"
I went to my room and started to pray
God told me "Ty - its time to stay, forget
about everything and do as they say,
and next time just pray. I'll be there to say
that's my man for the rest of his days."
- Tyrone


Honey my heart is true
I know I made you blue
come take a chance
we will do the best to make it last
Don't forget the times
that were forever
give it a chance
my time here with you
makes my happy I found you
- Rick


Visiting Room
I love her blue eyes
her long blond hair
I love her beautiful smile
her heart warms the air
She means the world to me
when she smiles
It makes me smile
When she laughs
it makes me laugh
the time we spend together
will forever be remembered
The loving warm hugs
brighten my day
She's my little princess
her name is Jade
when we part
she gives me kisses
she cries
that makes me feel sad
Every time her
last words are
I love you Dad
I love you too Jade.


As I sit here pondering
I wonder where life will take me
I've been so many places
Yet no where
Though I still ponder and ponder and ponder
- David


The Field
It is not a life of loneliness I seek
for I have knowledge not unique
yet my love is one of truly deceit
I feel it is defeat
why must I feel lonely this way
for I am only to find it one day
still my life is in deceit
will I defeat this darkness I am in
it runs so deep
where is the love I truly seek
my love, my life, the fields I seek
The field of life where love I will meet
- Aaron


Heroin
You told me that you liked me
But the whole time you despite me
you told me you could make me feel good
to find you I had to return to the hood
I prayer for you to stop the hurt
you smiled and laughed and spit on me like dirt
Its time for me to end this pain
So you can no longer run through my vein
There comes a time to make a stand
So I can become that chosen man
Now comes the time that this must end
I truly learned you were not my friend


Lee Ann
If I had you again
in my heart - I know
we'd never part
But you broke
and crushed my world
in so many ways
you left me standing
in a terrible dark haze
so please Le Ann forget
me now and forever
By the way
you were not ever
that clever
You dragged me down
and I don't want you around
Now you can get your money
from the clown