Within These Gates Spring 2012
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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: All of the poetry and artwork in this literary magazine was created by young men from Washington, DC while incarcerated at New Beginnings Youth Development Center.
Darius
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Within
∙
These
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Gates SPRING 2012
A PRODUCTION OF MAYA ANGELOU ACADEMY • A SEE FOREVER SCHOOL •
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FEAR By Jarelle I am like the wind when it blows Not on a hot day but when it’s cold My words go deep and freeze the soil I try to maintain but I just let it go My feelings fall into fear I got some good and some bad people in my ear I listen hard and try to hear But all I hear is fear I look around and All I see is me.
Wendell
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UNTITLED By Saadiq I am a black man with stars on my eyes I wonder who wants to see me in the skies Keep surviving through the streets Just to help me and my Mama eat DC I call it da trap Worst city on the map I love my Mama so I think twice Don’t know what to do sometimes But I help myself Think right.
UNTITLED By James I’m a strong black boy I live life to the fullest I love my hair I love my family I love all animals Look at those lips I lost my mother I am a broken hearted Young man who is still Pushing.
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STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE By Derrick Struggling to survive These mean streets ain’t easy. Every day I try to make it easier To make it through. Hope is like a door opening Up for me to escape these streets. People are being killed everyday I need to find how to get away.
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Zakee Spring 2012 | 7 32488 SFF.indd 7
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YOUNG BLACK AMERICANS By Marcus T. Some young black Americans Are gonna be smart in the future Like Martin Luther King Making change and paving The way like Obama Some young black Americans Are gonna be in the system Or dead if they don’t make A change in their life Some young black Americans Gotta make a change The choices tell them everything They need to look for it Follow their instinct And when they see a sign Follow that sign Some young black Americans Gotta realize who they are And make something of Themselves Some young black Americans Can be who they want to be All young black Americans Can be who they want to be The end. About my brothers.
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EMPTY By Kavonte I open my eyes and rise 2 my end of the bed I feel empty inside Force 2 think these lies in my head But I snap back 2 reality And realize all my loved 1’s are dead Now I feel helpless Like a lil boy cowering in the corner When he's scared So who will I turn 2 In a time of need I’m stressin so much My mind starts to bleed So I’m empty.
UNTITLED By Cecil This day isn’t what it seems to be When I wake up my stars sing to me Little people lying to me But they are just so loving I just hug em I tell my stars to pray for me Cause home I will soon be My heart gets weak when I look at my Stars knowing we can only talk through cards.
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MAMA KNOWS BEST By Saadiq Mama knows best since the day I Was born Mama knows best Like her heart was torn. She tells me to change Every time I don’t know why I just can’t get off my grind. They sent me around the US and back When I get back on the DC streets All I see and sell is crack. Mama cries and Daddy mugs Why I still go holla at my plug? I done seen it and did it all At a young age Das why I’m brain washed Because I gotta get paid. Money Money Money I see it when I dream I love my Mama But to her it doesn’t seem Imma make it Hell I could care unless it Failed you. Love my Mama.
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UNTITLED By Cecil Forget lost time You almost lost yourself Just think how your niece would have felt You should see by now that The speeding ain’t your style When you touch down you need to Chill for a while You know your mom feels like she carries An elephant on her shoulders Don’t wait till she pass And think of all the things you could have told her She’s still here and full of life Don’t get mad and do something dumb That could get you life Make her proud Do something good so She can say That’s my child.
CJ Spring 2012 | 11 32488 SFF.indd 11
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AROUND THE WAY By Markell In my hood the streets are talking Things in your house grow legs and Get to walking. When I pull the backwood Like guns It’s sparking The girls walk pass, While me and my men Plan to cut them like class, Dudes are broke His pockets bleeding You can see the scabs I wake up early in the morning The sunlight throwing jabs, Stand still in the alley And hustle my PCP I crank so strong You can see the muscle.
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HOME OF THE BLACK By Tyrell Welcome to the home of the black Man if I had a chance I would go back If I would have stayed I wouldn’t have to deal with this crap Yesterday when I came back My mother told me my cousin wasn’t coming back I asked what happened She said he got shot I knew I should have stayed in the home of the black. LOVE MY CITY By Jayvon From Southwest To Southeast The sound of go-go Fills the streets Junkies in the hood Panhandle to get good the streets Of DC filled with beef Northeast nighttime the police creep Obama black president First in DC white House the capital Where Dr. King Came to speak My love My city Rest in DC. Spring 2012 | 13 32488 SFF.indd 13
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THE STREETS By Jedidiah The streets are calling me The basketball courts are watching me The schools make me smart But the streets don’t have my heart It gave me a good start Now I’m blinded by the killings But I still don’t have no feelings I’m just shocked like electricity One day I was in the house A knock knock on my door.
Tayvon
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JOBS By Jarelle It is hard in my city No jobs No money So I gotta go get it I grab a gun and find a corner They lock me up for trying to feed my family It is hard in my city Crime go up and jobs go down Pick your face up and don’t make no frown Do what you have to do my brother The only person I feel sorry for is our mother Cause when we gone She’s still here Crying in fear So wipe your tears Just know your son didn’t die for no reason Not for a hood Not for a game But for you and your name.
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LIFE By Jawaun My life is great in the USA! I sit back all day with little to say. Living life while I’m young Replaying the music that life sung It gets hot as a desert, and cold as a blizzard I’m happy like a 4 year old if I’m with her Before I go I just want you to know.
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PEBBLE TO BOULDER By DeAndre When I was a pebble No one really wanted to throw me around. I stayed under my Boulder safe and sound. I was soft and a little whiney Not thinking about exploring. Then I became a rock A little harder and ready to explore. My head grew harder and I Was ready to be thrown. Then finally I came crashing through People’s window. I then got caught in someone’s window And trouble’s not the word that Can describe what I got into. Fortunately that’s what I needed to grow Into a boulder A very old man But I didn’t grow up by My bad deeds But the success that I had in my life That very long path. This is what I call A boy to a man.
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MYSELF By Jeffery Well let me tell you You know my life is going good I always keep my head up Just trying to stay out of the hood. I like myself the Way I am Like a fresh sports car. In my life I fall down But I get back up I am a lion I act like a lion Roar, roar But sometimes I act Like a dove And in the end I act Like Myself.
STAR SHOT DOWN By Jayvon I am a star shot down from far Like the kid who grew too big I am the man who played in sand With no lead who should I feed With 3 months a lot to change With no hope left in the game As I grow where should I go? My baby days were left in a daze. 18 | Within These Gates 32488 SFF.indd 18
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Tyree, Ernest, Kelsey, Darius,Tayvon, Marcus B.
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MY LIFE By Alontae Life is like the world But life is no La-Pearl Life is like a dance But life is not a gurl Life is like the magic But no game and sometimes tragic This is my life (wait) a better one I wish I had it I’ve been through so many problems But (wait) I’m glad I passed it And I’m a new man no more games You can ask it.
MY YOUNG LIFE By Keith My young life. Life was not easy for me Being the youngest of them all. Being one Of the men in the house. Then 10 years later I started hanging with my brother smoking Hanging out late. Then he got locked up Now I’m hanging with my other brother. Now I’m the second man of the house and then my Other brother got locked up now I got to Take care of things around the house. I’m not going lie it was hard but I could not Show it. It was my life.
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STARS ARE LIFE By Andre I see shining stars in the sky My life is passing me by The stars are the years of my life All I want to do is do right Shooting stars I see everyday Sometimes all I want to do is play With the shooting stars. ISLAM By Kenneil I bear witness that Allah is god, no other Worthy of worship.
MY LIFE By Dominique P. Life is so short But you can shoot me and watch Because I got time to kill There is no salary cap In this life so in other Words do your thing You think life is a game All you get is one turn You live and you learn Either you freeze or you burn.
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LIFE By Saadiq Life is a choice and death is a decision Times will change so get a new watch Love live life live it with a passion U only get one so cherish it U never know when ur gonna wake So take a deep breath and take the time To think about ur first birthday cake Honor mother and father For bringing you in the world Keep that iron to survive In this world Love live life lust Because u never know who to trust.
UNTITLED By Marquis My life is like a car crash Errr…..bang My life has just stopped before my very eyes I’m injured and my soul is hurting I can’t Stop panicking. My chest and legs are burning And aching. I forgot what happened, “What is Going on” I ask myself. My life is torn right Outta the earth like how people do everyday And I’m one of them. Boom Boom Boom.
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TKO By Sa'Quan I was angry Like a storm Was trapped inside I felt like something had to die To feel my pain I snuck it From behind Was out of my mind Because I smoke too much Its arms came at me But I weaved Then I killed That stupid tree.
HATE By Jovan Slide to the side Conscientiously deprived Turmoil facing lies decapitating It cuts deep like laceration Heart felt concentration I run from him but I am found Hate long lasting I’m steady spazzing Disaster, laughter, I am just a crasher It’s crazy how he stands by my side Especially when I’m told lies Hate led to a hurtful demise Now you can feel my cries. Spring 2012 | 23 32488 SFF.indd 23
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UNTITLED UNTITLED ByByKavonte Kavonte If Ifthere thereiziza aGod God Why do good Why do goodpeople peopledie die If Ifthere thereiziza aGod Godwhy whydodohappy happypeople peoplecry cry If Ifthere thereiziza aGod Godwhy whycan’t can’tsum sumpeople peoplefind findpeace peace If Ifthere thereiziza aGod Godwhy whydodopeople peoplehave havetotosteal stealand andkill killjust just 22 Finda away way2 2eat. eat. Find BangBang BangBang Bang Bang mansleeping sleeping AAman 6 feet deep nowa aman manstressing stressing 6 feet deep now facingdefeat defeat InIna a6 6byby6 6facing therewaz waza aGod Godwhy whyshould shouldwe wehave havetotogo gothrough throughstuff stuff If Ifthere Like this Like this Please— Please— Tellme me Tell I’mdown downononmy myknees knees I’m Beggingyou youfor foranananswer. answer. Begging
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LOST BROTHER BROTHER LOST By Alontae Alontae that you’re you’re gone goneIIfeel feelI’ve I’velost lost Now that A big part part of of me me Walking up up seeing seeing you youlaid laidout out Walking big part part of of me me Took aa big teaching me me how howto to You teaching Live isis what what started startedme me Blood Blood dripping dripping down downyour yourclothes clothes Why you you cried cried for for help helpisiswhat whatbothered botheredme me And now now that that you’re you’regone goneIIcan cannever nevergain gainback back That big part of me. big part of me.
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MISSING YOU By Markell Fee Man I miss da days When I use 2 hear your voice, Makiyah Man I wish I can skipped da When not see’n you isn’t a choice, Fee I rememba take’n pictures “N” the C.F.E. have’n a ball, Makiyah Now all I can do is read books & Look at your pictures on da wall, I heard you’re sit’n up Fee You use 2 say, “We don’t live Like dat but now you ain’t live’n At all, you taught me so much from cutting Coke to twist’n up, & we use 2 laugh when we wud Be rollin off da blends & hit da jacks 2 da butt, *** Now I have responsibilities I Have 2 provide, I need 2 get my G.E.D. & a job & sit my pride aside, Fee baby I miss you holmes & Kiyah daddy’s Comin’ home.
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RIP By Jayvon Since day one ya’ll been my men Both in two losses 3 year split with them The days ballin and trappin we never forget I miss you both we were more then friends Too cool too smooth expresses them Way deep down the line we were Ken Mek Mek and Royal Life just began R.I.P. ya’ll till we meet again Like bird flying south when we went out Curfew came and said peace out. RIP By Zakee Boom boom boom Listening to the sounds Taking my man John away from me I didn’t see him die But I heard him die Hurts is the truth No lie Can’t remember the day But I remember the sound That put my man Underground Man we used to play with rage Now only way I can see you is through The grave It’s still on the arm RIP to my man Fat-John. Spring 2012 | 27 32488 SFF.indd 27
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GOOD BYE By Tyrell I never had the chance to say goodbye If only it wasn’t your time to die I know you’re watching while you’re in the sky The day it happened all it was to do is cry With you gone it feels like nobody is around Not having you around is like a TV without sound When we were little you were called the class clown If you were upset or feeling down you never really frowned I remember when we used to walk downtown Every night my dreams are still walking I wish you were still here talking I remember the night I was sleep walking But now you’re gone all that’s left to say is R.I.P.
UNTITLED By Kenneil I miss my mother My heart is still broken I think about her everyday My feelings keep me grieving and screaming I remember how she always showed she cared My conscience telling me she is in a better place I know I will continue to grieve My mother prepared me for the worst I love the way she raised me like a lion My love for her will never leave and I know She is in a better place. 28 | Within These Gates 32488 SFF.indd 28
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Antwan
Tievon
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UNTITLED By Clarence Ode to my man remember when we used To play sandbox football and how we used To catch the rocks when they fall Remember when Link got mad cuz we shot through His wall that was funny But even though he was young we had our mind set on money Cuz we used to watch our old heads With fly clothes Fly cars When they used to pop bottles had girls looking like models We always talking bout living that life And I was just thinking how We used to get suspended from school Shooting dice and when our parents Found out it wasn’t nice It’s funny thinking about our young boy times Now we get older we think our old heads selling times.
CHUCK BROWN By Andre My tears are like knives When I cry they scrape my face Chuck Brown rest in peace Streets of DC are crying for you.
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DEATH OF MY DREAM By Jovan Cold so cold And all alone My choice was bold To put life on hold But little did they know he had to go Forced to die A lot of cries.
FOUR WALLS By Antwan Inside these walls my mind goes blank, Locked down with nothing else to do but think, Think of all the wrong I’ve cost to other people and their family, Especially mines I remember all the times I had to commit crimes Just to supply food Not knowing that I was hurting you I feel claws digging into my mind as these four walls Surround me Like a bumble bee trying to take the blood for free Just like me trying to rob steal and cheat in my own little fantasy Not trying to live in reality just ducking and dodging thinking This was all a Dream.
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Darius
Kavonte 32 | Within These Gates 32488 SFF.indd 32
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us
SILENT SHIFT By Alontae The night time shift disappears like a drop of rain After it’s dried I try my best to sleep but sometimes never Try it Night time shift is like 8 wheels rolling without The ride Sometimes can be a journey that’s smooth And always flies But never the less the shift at night Is known for going by. Doors go boom boom when we’re down For the night A silent whisper squeaks and we sleep silently Through the night.
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GYM CLASS By Telvin A good court The net screaming swish Crowd going wild As the gym rocks As I thought I was out there But I realized that I was in no gym Crash goes the backboard Someone just shot an awful shot Squeak goes the floor Those government shoes are no good Pass goes the ball There are some wild players in here Out here everyone thinks They are like the next Kobe Are they really the next Kobe? Either way The gym still welcomes You in.
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ODE TO ORANGE SHIRTS By Raymont Do you know the unit that’s the best? Smarter, faster, stronger Than the rest They have their ups They have their downs They have their queen They have their crown The color they wear is the brightest And their swag is the tightest 3 guys with dreds 7 got cuts Being with them is your good luck Nobody messes with New Horizons' house Each one of us is unique as can be We’re on the way up, just wait and see When they see us coming they quiet as a mouse Changing our lives is what it’s all about.
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FREEDOM By Daryl Freedom is good freedom is right I wish Rosa Parks and MLK had Their freedom that night MLK got shot Rosa Parks got off the bus If we had freedom This wouldn’t happen to us. Now it’s 2012 we got freedom We got rights MLK and Rosa Parks dream came true that night.
FREEDOM By Markell Freedom is something that I don’t have I’m currently at New Beginnings Where we have to listen to ODs & Staff As far as the level system I feel like I’m winning I sometimes get off track and my head get to spinning But I committed a crime so I’m facing the facts This is a daycare; at nighttime we get snacks They call us dogs and wolves cause we be movin’ in packs But one day I will be free Even if I’m dead with my man “Lil Fee.”
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I MISS... By Jayvon I dribble I pass and sometimes I shoot The feeling of freedom helps me get through Life goes on and sometimes you too The store the malls and even the foot The class the teacher and some of the rules The block the dealer and all of his moves The family the friend that helps me get through I dribble I pass and sometimes I shoot Where do you look when it’s nothing to see? No change no feeling is better than free The sky the moon even the see I say again I will be free.
WORK=SUCCESS By Kenneil Work is the epitome of success, You play hard work harder Pull money like a door, Mentally and physically strength is The key Working, smarts will take you A long way I know all about the 24/7, You have to block all distractions Cause in the end you will Look in the mirror and say I do this for my well-being Me, myself, and the money.
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LOVE By Louis Love is in the air Ask me if I care People know my love poem is rare I love you mom She said I love you too My pops hit me u, “what it do” My mom said, “Love is not a fool. But I will always love you’ But mom said, “this is not for them this is for you.” LOVE By Jawaun Love can be strong as metal You live life and then you steal. Love can also take you up and down It can drive you right in the ground Love, it’s supposed to be happy But after a while your hair gets nappy Love will be forever great Maybe it will be something I don’t hate.
Derrick
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LOVE By DominiqueW. Love is like a star, Love is as beautiful as a new car, Love is like a new baby, Love is as hard as a rock, Love is like a child, Love is as smooth as a song, Love is a Porsche, Love is life. LOVE By Anton Love is a rose it smells sweet Love is blind you can’t see it Love is a headache it’s painful Love is life it has many turning points Love is muscle it gets strong Love is like a plane it moves on Love is like a movie it is long Love is like the sun it shines Love is like sweet honeydew because it is sweet.
Zakee
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LOVE By Antwan Love is as strong as hate But as powerful as something you create Love is an emotion like a strong potion Love is as beautiful as the son we created Love is what we had when we first dated Love is now what we make it Love can lead to death But only if you don’t wear your protective vest.
LOVE IS PAIN By James Love is like a happy weight Love is like a sea Love is an open heart Love is blind Love is a mountain Love is strong Love can speak Love can walk Love is like a broken window Love can speak lies Love is love.
Wendell
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ODE TO MY DAUGHTER By Adam I love you more And more than H2O water I saw you on Sunday Now I wonder when Would I come home one day Now I see you all big And stuff and I see you Playing quiet and rough Now I see you can talk and walk Your like the 4th of July when fireworks Spark.
ODE TO MY GRANDMOTHER By Adam Ode to my grandmother She wanted to see me play Ball in college But instead I fell in love with streets Instead of knowledge Now I’m locked up thinking about things When I could’ve been In the community following my dreams She said my world is hers and her world is mine Now I picture us drinking wine Like J-z and Beyonce My grandmother is a star She is my star.
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ODE TO MY MOM By Demondre I put powerful Praise to my mother for Having me and having My brothers and sisters She helped me when I’m down and when I Needed some body to talk to She taught me a lot Of what I know to this day I would give my life up for My mother cuz she birthed me Her brain talks to me everyday. WHAT HAPPENS TO LOVE? By Donte What happens to Love when it fades Away? Does it die Like a fly or Go west or north? Does it float up To the sky like People do when they Die? Does it hurt like A sore that makes You sit down and Cry on the floor? Or does it just have you in Pain that makes You want to live in vain?
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Kelsey
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ME By Jarelle I am free but not free I look at me and see you Your son, your child, your child One day I will grow wings and fly away But without wings I have to stay In this cage And look at my time pass bye And hold on my feelings And try not to cry My life was never good A young boy trapped in a hood Money moves and memories of making it big But I am still locked up in a cage One day I will look back on my life And see how being in a cage Made me the man I am Today.
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FATHER TO SON By Donte Father to son Man to man The streets out here Is hard to be on As you growing up you will see Hope you don’t Grow up to be like me. I want you to go to school And be the best you can be Strive for the best Not for the worst. Be a leader Not no follower Father to son The street is not where it’s at People killing for respect I don’t want you to go through That so take my Advice and be the best Father to son.
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EDITOR: Chelsea Kirk A SPECIAL THANKS TO: All Maya Angelou Academy Teachers & Staff Fellow English Teachers Mara Clark and Porsha Childs Art Teachers Emily Haines and Matt Barinholtz Special Education Case Managers Barbara O'Neal, Amanda McKenna, Tinnell Slade, Leah Wolf, Trenell Eaton, and Jailyn Briggs All Youth Development Representatives (YDRs) Christina Campbell See Forever Foundation Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services
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Kevin
Stanley
A PRODUCTION OF MAYA ANGELOU ACADEMY • A SEE FOREVER SCHOOL •
No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission from the authors, artists, and editor.
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