This poem was written in 2006 and appeared on the 8th grade DVD that year. The power of the poem is its simplicity and truth.

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I’m not so good at giving advice
because I’m wrong
much more than I am right
but I do know this to be true:
select your friends carefully
because you will do as they do.

I made friends with thieves
in my younger days
and of course I copied their ways.
I stole, I lied, I cheated
no matter how badly I was mistreated.
They showed me acceptance
even gave me attention
in return, all I had to do
was serve detention after detention.

Then I made friends who were smart
who cared more about school
than pretending to be cool.
I read, I studied, I listened
my life finally had a goal, even a mission.
In time I went to college
where I got my degree
I became a teacher of children
now I help them learn poetry.

But things could definitely be different
now that I ponder my past
had I kept friends with bad company
my dreams would have faded fast.

So once again, here’s my advice to you:
choose your friends wisely
because you will do as they do.