Featured Writers

Keosha Dockery

Writing workshop participant at Helensview High School, an alternative public high school in Northeast Portland for students on probation/ parole, students who are pregnant/parenting, have dropped out, been expelled, are gang-involved, or who have been unsuccessful in other educational settings.

Keosha is 18 and will turn 19 in October. She is from Portland and has lived here all her life. Keosha has attended Helensview High School since age 14. At first, she didn’t feel that she got along well at the school. She was having trouble generally, living in foster care, incarcerated, not focused. Keosha told us that she spent her life on the streets trying to prove herself.

At age 17, Keosha made a realization about where her life was headed. She realized that since she turned 14, she had been incarcerated for half of her life. "I was sitting in county jail caught on a Measure 11 [charge]," she told us. "I realized I wasn't going to make it like that." Now, a year later, Keosha realizes she has so many things going for her, especially reconnecting with Helensview High School and taking the Write Around Portland workshop this past spring.

Keosha was earning credits toward graduating while she was in jail. Helensview's principal Kris Persson and teachers wrote letters to the judge on Keosha's behalf. "They really fought for me, advocated for me – and gave me a chance," Keosha said. "They didn’t give up on me so I’m graduating now. I’ve got a real life to lead now. I’ve got no words to describe the impact this school has had on me."

Keosha's poem, published in our anthology North of North, and interview with her follow.

A Survivor

by Keosha Dockery

My heart is cold I’ve been used and

Abused time and time again I’ve

Been destined to lose that’s

One thing I refused I would

Not give up still I wonder

Who will be there when I

Fall and pick me back up

Uplift my spirits guide me

The right way not lead

Me to destruction, anguish, and

Dismay tired of running I

Just want to let go but

I know what’s at

The end of that road I’ve

Walked it alone and I will

Not turn back lost between

Reality fictions and facts

Interview with featured writer Keosha Dockery

Biography writer and interviewer: Sara Guest, Write Around Portland Program Coordinator

Tell us about your experience in a Write Around Portland workshop.

I wanted to do this workshop before I graduated. . I feel so lucky that I got the chance. It was only my third month after returning to school and there were so many kids around school that I didn’t even know. I loved the fact that this [workshop] was a place I could meet new people that I would never have actually spoken to otherwise.

Also, Adrienna, my [volunteer workshop] facilitator, was wonderful. She didn’t push you or rush you. She told us not to put yourself down and then we didn’t. I feel like Adrienna was a genuinely kind person and that made the group something that meant so much to me.

What did you get out of the workshop?

Being in the workshop expanded my horizons. It really did! I feel like everyone participated and gave it their all. It was great for me because I never knew about Write Around Portland and now I do.

I’m the only one that writes in my family, so the program gave me the chance to connect with other people on the same level and have an audience – that’s something I honestly never thought I’d have. It feels really important to have it.

Had you written much before you joined the Write Around Portland workshop?

I’ve been writing since I learned how to write! Books and books of poems. Sometimes I like to write stories but poems are really my thing. I have to have my words rhyming – like the rhyme of the rhymes and that’s often what I’m going for with the stuff I’m working on.

How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others and hearing other people’s stories?

Sharing my writing was so enjoyable. I loved how I got to see reactions from people, and get more inside of their experiences. I feel like after being in the workshop I know more about how things sound when people read them.

It’s kind of pointless to write when you don’t have someone to share it with, and I was amazed at how good people are. It meant something to be with other people who have the same aspirations and enjoy writing as much as I do.

Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others?

I really would. My school is the type where kids are shy because of what someone might think. In the Write Around Portland workshop, everyone came, everyone read, everybody worked together like a little family. Adrienna offered good ideas about writing and we helped each other find a voice. It felt easy.

What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer?

I learned in the workshop that I can be pretty critical of myself. So now I know that I don’t have to be that as much – that I can just write what’s on my mind and others will like it. It’s a way to get comfortable with yourself and your own writing style.

Basically everything about this experience felt flawless to me! I would not change one single thing.

Is there anything you would like to tell your readers about your writing?

Readers, my writing really comes from the heart. I try to familiarize myself with all the people out there – as diverse as possible. So you know what you can count on from me is to be true and tell you how I feel. To come from the heart. That’s what it’s all about for me.


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writers Keosha Dockery Writing workshop participant at Helensview High School, an alternative public high school in Northeast Portland for students on probation/ parole, students who are pregnant/parenting, have dropped out, been expelled, are gang-involved, or who have been unsuccessful in other educational settings. Keosha is 18 and will turn 19 in October. She is from Portland and has lived here all her life. Keosha has attended Helensview High School since age 14. At first, she didn’t feel that she got along well at the school. She was having trouble generally, living in foster care, incarcerated, not focused. Keosha told us that she spent her life on the streets trying to prove herself. At age 17, Keosha made a realization about where her life was headed. She realized that since she turned 14, she had been incarcerated for half of her life. "I was sitting in county jail caught on a Measure 11 [charge]," she told us. "I realized I wasn't going to make it like that." Now, a year later, Keosha realizes she has so many things going for her, especially reconnecting with Helensview High School and taking the Write Around Portland workshop this past spring. Keosha was earning credits toward graduating while she was in jail. Helensview's principal Kris Persson and teachers wrote letters to the judge on Keosha's behalf. "They really fought for me, advocated for me – and gave me a chance," Keosha said. "They didn’t give up on me so I’m graduating now. I’ve got a real life to lead now. I’ve got no words to describe the impact this school has had on me." Keosha's poem, published in our anthology North of North, and interview with her follow. A Survivor by Keosha Dockery My heart is cold I’ve been used and Abused time and time again I’ve Been destined to lose that’s One thing I refused I would Not give up still I wonder Who will be there when I Fall and pick me back up Uplift my spirits guide me The right way not lead Me to destruction, anguish, and Dismay tired of running I Just want to let go but I know what’s at The end of that road I’ve Walked it alone and I will Not turn back lost between Reality fictions and facts © Keosha Dockery and Write Around Portland Interview with featured writer Keosha Dockery Biography writer and interviewer: Sara Guest, Write Around Portland Program Coordinator Tell us about your experience in a Write Around Portland workshop. I wanted to do this workshop before I graduated. . I feel so lucky that I got the chance. It was only my third month after returning to school and there were so many kids around school that I didn’t even know. I loved the fact that this [workshop] was a place I could meet new people that I would never have actually spoken to otherwise. Also, Adrienna, my [volunteer workshop] facilitator, was wonderful. She didn’t push you or rush you. She told us not to put yourself down and then we didn’t. I feel like Adrienna was a genuinely kind person and that made the group something that meant so much to me. What did you get out of the workshop? Being in the workshop expanded my horizons. It really did! I feel like everyone participated and gave it their all. It was great for me because I never knew about Write Around Portland and now I do. I’m the only one that writes in my family, so the program gave me the chance to connect with other people on the same level and have an audience – that’s something I honestly never thought I’d have. It feels really important to have it. Had you written much before you joined the Write Around Portland workshop? I’ve been writing since I learned how to write! Books and books of poems. Sometimes I like to write stories but poems are really my thing. I have to have my words rhyming – like the rhyme of the rhymes and that’s often what I’m going for with the stuff I’m working on. How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others and hearing other people’s stories? Sharing my writing was so enjoyable. I loved how I got to see reactions from people, and get more inside of their experiences. I feel like after being in the workshop I know more about how things sound when people read them. It’s kind of pointless to write when you don’t have someone to share it with, and I was amazed at how good people are. It meant something to be with other people who have the same aspirations and enjoy writing as much as I do. Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others? I really would. My school is the type where kids are shy because of what someone might think. In the Write Around Portland workshop, everyone came, everyone read, everybody worked together like a little family. Adrienna offered good ideas about writing and we helped each other find a voice. It felt easy. What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer? I learned in the workshop that I can be pretty critical of myself. So now I know that I don’t have to be that as much – that I can just write what’s on my mind and others will like it. It’s a way to get comfortable with yourself and your own writing style. Basically everything about this experience felt flawless to me! I would not change one single thing. Is there anything you would like to tell your readers about your writing? Readers, my writing really comes from the heart. I try to familiarize myself with all the people out there – as diverse as possible. So you know what you can count on from me is to be true and tell you how I feel. To come from the heart. That’s what it’s all about for me.	"Being in a military family can be isolating...the workshop helped create this bond and sense of community with strangers." Leslie Rose, Write Around Portland Participant Provide a writer with a writing journal, pen, bus tickets, and an anthology. Featured Writer Keosha Dockery Click here to read about past featured writers.
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