We are still America’s Daughters and Sons, 
in spite of the crime or offense that we have done. 
And although we may be shunned,
it will be the future and not the past 
that will determine who we are and what we may become.
“Murderers!Molesters!Misfits!Miscreants!”
Let them call us what they will. 
Ne’er-do-wells: unite!We can’t love and help others 
until we love and help ourselves.
Hark!Never be consumed by the failures, 
the mistakes, by the bad breaks.
Stand!Rise from your penitent knees 
and truly be accounted for.
Scoff!Who we’ve been isn’t who we have to be.
 
To live. Positively. Means annulling the decrees 
of “street wisdom”’ in favor of taking some time away, 
thereby shaking away the lamented chains 
of what we cannot become:
perpetual prisoners of our own pasts.
So remember, Brethren:
we are still America’s Daughter and Sons,
in truth of the crime or offense that we have succumbed, 
because when all is said and done, 
it will always be the future and not the past
that will determine who we are and what we will become.