Prisoner Volume Express Poetry Anthology 14 Volume 14 June 2015 Alternatives Library Featured Authors Love and Relationships Jamie D. Chaffin Miscellaneous William Andrews R.J. Clayton Carl Branson Raylon Shane Attebury Rene Farias R.J. Clayton William Carlson Catherine La Fleur Sherry Davis Robert Allan Cooke Daniel R. Jackson Gary Gregory Robert Castle Jr. Malcom Jackson Aaron V. Hill Jerome Fitzpatrick Sonny Juarez Daniel R. Jackson Mark Hamme Eric KP Richard Conway Jackson Derrick A. Hinds Tony Lee Isaiah J. Johnson Aaron V. Hill Michael Madrid “Black Rain” Bennet-Kenitzki D.B. Hughes Lavonté D. Maxwell David W. LaCoutre J.W. Johnson James A. Merrill Robert McHale Debbie Jones Benjamin Rivera Jason Miears J.A. Lopez Ray Sanchez Jr. Alessandro Milan Steven Newell Jacob Silva Travis Newell Geneva J. Phillips Tori “T’Andrews” Starks C.F. Villa Arthur Saucedo Lou Tompkins Tom Williams John Tyrone Slade Jason Treadaway Nathan Zimmerman Anthony Washington Daniel Ahmed Byron Wattree Paul K. Valdez Hope and Optimism Reynaldo Zamora Brian Joseph Wake R.J. Clayton Tom Williams Santiago Duran Hope and Optimism through David LaCouture Religion Social Commentary C. Michael Lau Chris Blanton Mr. Leslie Samuel Charles Alexander Valentine Daniel Easter Amison Jr. Jose H. Villarreal Juan Frias Carl Branson Tom Williams Alessandro Milan Heather Coffey Luis Ortiz Jerome Fitzpatrick Featured Artists Gary Gregory Loss and Mourning Michael S. Griffis Kelly Fredricksen Michael E. Drebert Isaiah J. Johnson Raymond Palmore Walter Greaves David LaCouture Anthony Tinsman Lorraine “Black Rain” Bennett- El Roderick Mckissick Kenitaki Geneva J. Phillips John King “Farmer John” - Micheal Pogue Kent D. Simon Robert J Richter Paul K. Valdez Juan Roberts Ray Sanchez, Jr. Self Reflection Davon Wells Brian J. Barrett Robert Beard Justin Begandy Cesar A. Cabrera T. Carroll Selections on Love and Relationships To friends and family Would you? And to the values If I was to see you on the outside That have shaped your philosophy Would you tell me hi If I was to shake your hand I believe in your courage Would you shake it with pride Compassion If I was to smile at you And strength of character Would you politely smile back I believe in your goodness If I asked you to be my friend I believe in you Would you be there at the end And I will love you always If I was to tell you a secret and Forever Would you promise to keep it safe If I was to shed a tear -Anthony Washington Would you promise me that you’ll be near If I asked you to call Untitled Would you call or not at all I can see If I told you, you make my day the beauty Would you be mean and take it away in If I told you I’ll be here for you a warm sunset, Would you be there for me too high above an ocean breeze. If one day I ask you to be my wife Would you say I do… I can hear the voice -Reynaldo Zamora of nature, whistling Thinking of You Card through the leafy trees. Hoping everything I say Hoping everything I do I can smell Convinces you, I’m wanting you the weather Anxious, just of having you change, Wishing it was a thousand of you as raindrops fill the air; Greedy, when it comes to you All I want is you And I can taste Don’t want to share the salty tears, Selfish, when it comes to you that come when you’re not here. Happy and Joyful Ambitious to make you -J.W. Johnson Hoping you smile receiving my card Truth is Our Undoing I made it thinking of you You are not mine i am not yours -John Tyrone Slade not SAVIOR not messiah I Believe in You (sometimes not even friend) I believe in you You cannot belong in the things that are important to you to me And the way you have chosen i cannot belong To live your life to you

I believe that you can accomplish anything we meet on sidewalks You set out to do in subways, at dinner tables, That you have many talents over coffee in bistros, in bars And the wisdom to use them well and Bedrooms plummeting down on sagging mattresses I believe that you have what it takes to overcome obstacles wringing love and sex from And to grow from every experience each other drop by drop Life brings your way sometimes confusing the two or complicating on or I believe that you will always be faithful the other with talk With children in grade two or three. you try to make me Our loving crushes, yours still making the stand, i try to claim you are and our children playing in the sand. mine Shaping the mold of their castle of dreams. Joyous the their laughing screams. But it doesn’t take Ours still linger, it can’t/won’t last well on this day, only until the cum dries You’re the one that got away. until the door closes and the footsteps fade down the hall - D.B. Hughes the promises we made soak into the pillow drying Lifetime Achievement like sweat, in time If you’re an author and write the best book to be washed out and forgotten So that everyone will want to take a look, Or if you make a wondrous work of art i am not yours That no critic would dare to pick apart. your are not mine we each return to ourselves These things are not the best you can attain. lying and alone If you think you are, your life ends in pain. sharing only moments You’ll be forgotten; popularity dies. And calling it forever I hope you find where accomplishment lies.

-Geneva J. Phillips Find a companion who’s faithful for life, Be it a true friend, a mate, or a wife. The Fisherman’s Cliché Raise up a child, like an arrow shot true, I remember in grade two or three. Or by some stroke of luck, you might have two. It was always you and me. Grade school crushes, If painting and poems are all you can show, we were hand in hand. You’ll not end up happier than Van Gogh. Valentine lovers playing in the sand. Your magnum opus is a life you can touch, Castles’ of dreams molded with care. And maybe one who gives back half as much. Innocence covered with a lock of hair. Our laughter lingers, -Mark Hamme well on this day, we were forever in love and play. Anything For You Love is like magic As time passed and older we grew, It's odd and confusing and I began wearing a young man’s shoe. Then the next thing you now “Best friends forever.” It seems so amusing To each other we’d shout, Like candy and cakes than you left me and my heart without. Its as sweet as can be Tender love in pieces was torn, Then the next thing you know and I loving to hate love with scorn. It's as rough as the sea Knowing the meaning, Like fire it's hot of the fisherman’s cliché, Like ice it is cold you were “the one that got away.” It's never the same It's both young and old Love became hard for me to accept. It will make you do things Making the motions only to be inept. You don't want to do Look at what’s missing, for something to yield. Cause anything, you ask Babe Searched on what my life to build. I'll do it for you. Emptiness grew to increasing depths. My days taken in unconscious steps. -Arthur Saucedo Boulders of sorrow, on my shoulder rest, Sonnet: Not Once my memories are all to me that’s best. Not once did she see The good in me Today I wonder where we would be, Though I tried my best It was all in jest I need you to know… That I love you. No doubt you’ve Not once did I know questioned these words and their meaning for us both. How it all would go So it is without reservation, of heart and soul, that I Not once did I see unconditionally love you, unlike any ever before you. Beyond all that was me Not once did I hear I give to you now all that you so richly deserve. With all that is Dear My devotion to you, to us is my deepest desire. Her pain filled voice My adoration, admiration, appreciation and passion are As she was given no choice unequivocally yours. But to do her best You are my rare and precious jewel, of immeasurable value, a And now I need to let it rest. priceless treasure, to be forever coveted and cherished, beyond and above all else. -Debbie Jones A new esteem and respect, just for you, resides deep with my impassioned heart. Diamonds and Pearls I need you to know… I truly love you. If I could give you diamonds and pearls I’d take you on a cruise around the world Through up or down, Friend or foe, feast or famine, we belong I’d fly you to the stars together. I come before you, not as knave, but as knight, on And make love to you on the moon bended knee and graciously, humbly ask, that you stay with me, If we never came back stick with me, once again, beside me as I build a shrine to our Forever would be too soon eternal love. But if I could give you anything These are the things… I need you to know. Than here’s where I’d start I’d open up my soul - Robert Allan Cooke And hand you my heart We are two in one -J.A. Lopez Both traveling in different directions Yet on the same pathway I Need You To Know Her glasses are my reflected memories I need you to know.. That I’m sorry. I’ve been the impetus. She looks into my direction The source of no small amount of distress, dejection, damage and A world of cold concrete depression in you’re life. Where deception thrives on misery This very day, I take full and honest responsibility for all the Hope belongs with fairy tales anguish, ache, injury and heartache my instigation has beset upon Death becomes a cherished nourishment you. Her path comes to a skidded stop I need you to know… I’m truly sorry. In the middle of my unwritten words Awaiting for my linguistic perspective I need you to know… that I’m changed. In her world of entelechy This time apart, time to reflect, realize and understand has led me She is a poser, portraying traveler to a transformation. Or a traveler posing for a ride An alternation what is most important and of greatest value in my Either way our paths cross life. In the world of creativity I’ve remade my inner self, refashioned my values. This time has Where my soul painfully yearns brought a conversion, an altering, a modification in me that lets A chance to feed upon freedom me know I can and will be better, I’ve been revolutionized. I need To walk those unproductive lands you to know… I’m truly changed. With scrubby growth for a view Heated sun scorching my Red flesh I need you to know… That I need you. Either way we are consolidated In my past, our past, I’ve allowed many things to take precedence For this moment of creative writing over you, over us. Where her reality brilliantly bursts Through it all you’ve stick by my side, not only in deed but also in Through my world of written perception heart. A gift that’s essential No longer will you be unaware, that you are my true strength, my In my land of figurative language rock, you’re what I require to facilitate my growth. An awaken mind With you I’m so much more, what a man should and could be, Bleeding thoughts through pen with a strong, vibrant woman at his side. To feed a pit-less appetite You are essential to me my beloved. Renegade Warrior You complete me in both love and life. I need you to know.. I truly need you. - Raylon Shane Attebury Untitled Instilling the motivation to never be denied, Love isn’t easy, especially for me. and to overcome her greatest fears. Now I’m in here and bars are all I see. Love isn't easy when you’re all alone. In a woman’s heart, knowing I’m in here and you’re the only one at home. is the most exquisite place of serenity. Love isn’t easy especially for you. Where her beauty lies in confidence, At home by yourself and sleeping in a bed made for two. and exposed in her true identity. Love isn’t easy when we’re not together. I know it’s only time and soon we’ll be together. In a woman’s heart, Love isn’t easy when you’re not around. is everything she believes in. But our love is strong, so don’t let anything get you down. Protecting what her heart means to her, Love isn’t easy as I’m sure you’re aware. because that is where her trust begins. Bad things happen and life is just not fair. Love isn’t easy and I know it’s hard for you. In a woman’s heart, But our love is special and I love, loving you. is all she does according to plan. Because in a woman’s heart, - Robert Castle Jr. she knows she can.

Where Are We - Jerome Fitzpatrick Am I kept away, secretly upon a shelf? Thought of, just now and than…? Good Pain Is my name uttered only to yourself? Some argue that love should not hurt While thinking with paper and pen. Pain is love’s mentor Without pain love is lust Do I cross your mind, here and there? Pain signals an abuse of emotions While doing your daily tasks. Yet it also incorporates a real measure of love. Or do our hearts beat as a pair. Is it folly, I should ask? Love can’t be contained or controlled It is an emotion that hurts and heals with equal affect Should I ponder who you are? Exposing the bare essence of human life While the hand of time hold us apart? Not getting what we want in love promotes pain Though we both share the same distant star… Encouraging us to examine our reason for wanting love Does it shine on both our heart? Real love can endure sincere pain Can I trust to you, my sould bare, Without pain love can never be tested And define my love from lust? Pain makes us stand up for our right to love Or is it just a tangled snare Love lasts forever and so does pain That will leave my heart… in sorrows dust? It’s up to us to fight for one or the other

These few words, I send to you, Everybody at some point believes they know what love is with hope to make It clear, Thus it hurts to find out when we have been wrong no matter where you are, or what you do… Intentional pain is not love, but incidental pain is In my thought I hold you dear. It strengthens individual resolve to find real love Doesn’t mean find a new lover; just means change perspective - William Andrews Love complicates truth and misguides emotions “In A Woman’s Heart” We always hurt the one we love In a woman’s heart, Therefore we are hurt by the one who loves us is the most pure essence. It is in love thru pain that we acknowledge our wrong Can always feel her warm embrace, Knowing the pain of real love prevents us from hurting our lover even when you’re not in her presence. - Byron Wattree In a woman’s heart, is the demand to be respected. WISHFUL THINKING… Still know how to love, TODAY I WILL PROVE MY LOVE TO YOU BY LOVING even when her heart is being neglected. MYSELF FOR REAL. I’LL FIGHT AGAINST THE SMOKING AND I’LL FIGHT In a woman’s heart, AGAINST THE PILLS. hold so much pain and so many tears. I’LL GET A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP TONIGHT AND EARLY I Look into natures mirror and see WILL RISE. the reflection in the wild flowers: WITH TIME TO CONTEMPLATE THE WONDROUS More beautiful are you in your entirety. MYSTERIES OF THIS LIFE. I’LL DO MY BEST IN EVER MOMENT, EVEN IN EVERY With the sun’s rays burst in glory, THOUGHT. Purples and blues burst from flowers: I WON’T ALLOW TO GO TO WASTE WHATEVER THAT Look into nature’s mirror and see! I’VE WROUGHT. MY ANGER IS MY CHOICE, SO NOW I CHOOSE TO With such vibrant beauty we can see ANGER NOT. it’s but restricted beauty beheld with eyes: I WON’T RETURN TO HURTING ME AS IF I HAD FORGOT, More beautiful are you in your entirety. THAT TODAY I’D PROVE MY LOVE FOR YOU BY SHARING WHAT’S WITHIN. Wrapped inside you exist such beauty AND IF I HOLD THAT ANGER INSIDE YOU’D KNOW BY waiting to burst as the sun’s rays: WHAT I’D GIVE. look into nature’s mirror and see! I LOVE YOU ENOUGH TO SAVE YOU FROM THE MISERY I SEE. Purples! blues! as vast as the sea! AND SO TODAY I’LL LOE MYSELF FOR REAL, CAUSE YOU Not as wild flower—infinite it is: LOVE ME…. more beautiful are you in your entirety.

-AARON V. HILL When you can’t see all you’re beauty, and can only see tarnished reflections, Empty? No! Broken Promises look into nature’s mirror and see, My heart has been stomped and trampled. More beautiful are you in you’re entirety. My hand and feet have been cuffed and shackled. My body has been beaten and bruised. -Steven Newell My love has been used and abused. Yet my spirit keep caring loving. Dear Heaven In spite of all the kicking and shoving. Dear heaven, can you hear my plea? I forgive and accept my losses. I’m looking for my lost angel, April D. For each and everyone’s broken promises! The light of a thousand stars are reflected in her eyes Ringed with the clearest of blue summer skies - Derrick A. Hinds Hair spun of the finest gold Soft ringlets setting her sunset smile aglow Much More Are You Skin soft and white as a gentle winters snow Much more beautiful are you, yet strong and graceful, as a wide eyed doe In God’s imagine you were created: If my angel you should see In his imagine he created you! tell her I carry her love in deepest parts of me Of God, how I miss my April D. Not the stars or sky, but you! I still love her, Not the mountains—seas he created: Forgive me… Much more beautiful are you. - William Carlson If all creation show the beauty of who, created it this includes you as stated: Selections on Hope and Optimism through Religion In his image he created you! Nothing to Fear On my knees in my prison cell Beautiful poetry is created too! hoping things with my family are well. Is not poetry what the heart constructed? No letter or phone calls answered in weeks. Much more beautiful are you. I’m sorry to say but my spirit feels weak. So I start praying harder as I start to cry, If one uses poetry to reflect through asking “God, would you please tell me why?” then more is the heart unrestricted: Praying and fasting like God says to In his image he created you! when there’s something you want Him to do. The Bible says to trust in the Lord with all your heart, All above—restricted beauty comes through, and not to give it one little thought. In you is his image fully reflected: So at His feet I lay my burdens down to stay Much more beautiful are you, as my Father washes all my worries away. In his image he created you. Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find. So with a gentle hand that’s soft and kind, His Loving Words my load is lighter and my mind clear, His loving words are soothing to the ear and always rule our fear. and I know now that I have nothing to fear. They penetrate the darkest place and dry the falling tear. My head grows heavy and my sight grows dim They break the chains that shackle every mind, as I go to sleep dreaming and thinking of Him. and provide strength to heal the hearts that sin would bind.

-Alessandro Milan His loving words that are whispered, rooted in the heart will bear fruit and give wisdom to those that are apart. C.J.’s Dragon will shed light in the darkness, where hope may have died As the sun sets low in the sky, the backdrop is set and bring life to ambitions that can fill us with pride. the giant dark shadow, soars high as a jet the air is crisp, cool, it will be a star filled night His loving words give strength to survive each task, he spreads his great wings, gliding along the sinking light. To help the sinner to take of his mask. They inspire our dreams and show the way At first glance he seems to be evil, powerful and all knowing. the release us from pain until that perfect day. Ancient, primal and ever glowing, his scales are like armor, he spits red flame His lowing words sooth the soul and enlighten the spirit; but look deep into his eyes, could he really be gentle and tame? They bring comfort and warmth like a beautiful lyric. They bring peace to our live in most difficult times; Yes, this dragon is pure, with a heart of white gold. So always remember, his loving words are divine. He reminds me of you, keep him with you until you grow old. For this beast is not evil, he is born of the light, - Juan Frias God hath created all, and given him flight. Selections on Loss and Mourning You see this dragon protects me, white alone in my cell. Last Kiss For in him I see you, freeing me from my hell. Vigorous youth finds crazy erratic love On this journey through life, we all need a friend, A juvenile’s first taste, a blessing from above so to my son whom I love, this dragon I send! Her kiss so warm and sweet, like golden honey Memories, a reminder of days so bright, so sunny This dragon we now share, for he is with me too Arrogance and ignorance mesh to rule his world he will bring us a new beginning, one that’s shiny and new. Until unrestrained chaos and madness unfurled He will guide you and love you, my sweet son Chrism There is no comfort, no gratification left in her caress God’s love is eternal, let him fill you with bliss. Haunted, feeling like a mortal body possessed Swept away suddenly into never ending starkness -Chris Blanton Do anything to escape the abysmal darkness And feel the nick of that razor sharp kiss Nowhere Man Instead of a culture survived by a bloody fist “Nowhere, man!” Searching perpetual depths for a hint of her presence That the motto of all the lost. Lost and denied, not even a glimpse of her essence “Nowhere, man!” Everyday the soul withers, something is dying inside No matter what the final cost. Running for his life but there is nowhere to hide Exhausted, ragged and empty, there is no time to tire Nowhere Man, Trek through the mud, tread through the mire Why do you have to be so down? An opportunity to rest, failed attempt to reminisce Nowhere Man, How it felt to experience that pleasurable kiss You always act like a clown. Agonizingly, it remains elusive and obscure Like twilight, memories are fading for sure Nowhere, Man. Perhaps it harmful, maybe its for the best That's where I've always been. Hopes and dreams are lost with the rest Nowhere, man, Connections to another time, another life, are severed Thanks to the curse of original sin. The Last Kiss of freedom is now gone forever

Somewhere new. - Michael E. Drebert That's where I want to be. Somewhere new So true, It's Unbelievable Is where my Lord met me. Condemned for beliefs, His reputation is smeared; He carries His burden, guided by fears. -Daniel Easter Beaten & mocked, slandered & slammed; His tears fall like drops, mistaken for rain. The Wailing Warrior His voice barely heard, overcome by the crowd; The wailing warrior’s tears, say He yells for His Father, His Mother stands proud. What her heart, won’t tell- He looks towards His left & then towards His right; And her mouth won’t say. Several are with Him, each one in fright. Or her mind betray. Nor her soul, admit He speaks with a passion, His words so sincere; The mourning morning- The few turn their fright, into perseverance & cheer! For the lover lost. A Man poorly treated, with a kingdom in sight; Her penalty cost. They hang with a leader, who need not fight. Neither in a letter, Of on a tablet, The battle is Won, the victory is yours; Would the sobbing same ever ride along, with- He said, “It is finished”, as He walks through the doors. Of let lead, in birth, The Glory is His, given by One; What sorrows were born- His Mother's child, His Father's Son. From the memory shorn. Like the shaven head. He looks up to Heaven, then bows His head; The unmade empty bed. His spirit alive, yet Hid Body – Dead. No crying collar He's helped off His podium & cover with shroud; For her neck, to wear They take Him to rest, under darkness of cloud. No burden to bear- Not ever, not ever. The Light had just set, the moon saddened in the sky; Forever hid, in The stars disappear, soon the sun will rise high! the clouds of heaven. The sea will calm, the wind not blow; The truth brought forth, a lie never told. -Lorraine “Black Rain” Bennett-Kenitaki

They'll see what was done, Humans are prone; Prison Life Blues They'll realize their crime, as the story unfolds. Freedom taken, life forsaken; The people regret, judged on their own; Steel bars, painful scars; and an innocent man, now sits on His throne. Concrete walls, collect calls; Mental strain, waist chains; -Luis Ortiz Jingling keys, trembling knees; Count bells, stairwells; Imprisoned Soul Mind games, nicknames; A soul imprisoned within itself, surrounded by evil and rage, Faceless stranger, constant danger; it seeks freedom from it’s cage. Lonely hours, faith sours; He’s unsure of the world around him, feeling misunderstood and Hope tasted, years wasted; rejected. Nothing fair, hang to bear; He seeks the attention from those like him, only to become Questions why, distant and vague. And then I cry… He finds his relief through the infliction of pain, escaping the unspoken - John King “Farmer John” agony that fills his veins. He craves another hit to make all his sorrows fade away. This is my poem for the anthology It’s a silent cry for help that never seems to appear…. I hate that I hate my life. Leaving his soul wondering helplessly, in the darkness he I hate it because I lost my wife. disappears. Instead of being a man treating her like I should. Seeking refuge wherever his head lays not knowing where the I abused her and spent all of my time, chasing skirts around the following days may hood. lead. I used to live and breathe for this chick. A brilliant mind gone to waste Don’t have her now, because I thought with my little man… my Never seeing his full potential nor dick. understanding the consequences of his choices. Now when I try to write her about things like love and Just living the life he chooses, forgetting there is another life, commitment. another way. She doesn’t write back because her heart is filled with resentment. How could I, Walter Greaves, have ever been so stupid? -Kent D. Simon Imagining, I was invincible with no consequences to what I did? No one told me that being a player doesn’t pay off in the end. You should see my face, when I come from the commissary, no To all those who I love, I beg, please believe me. dividends. I’m not trying to deceive thee. You think I’m playing and that this is a joke. It wasn’t my will, when mama was killed! Or that I’m whining and crying because I’m broke. Now it’s only right my dreams remain unfulfilled. This is a poem about my personal loss. And here in prison; crazy with fear and self-hatred. And the real price you pay when you think you’re the boss. I get lost in a world that my mind has created. I need this woman and I’m willing to pay the cost. Then it gets better, then it gets worse. ‘Cause the truth is that without her I feel so lost. Am I a victim of Satan’s curse? I hate that I hate my life. On a roller coaster of strong emotion, All because I was a dumbass and lost my wife. my soul screams out a loud commotion! It’s because you want to see what’s in my heart. - Walter Greaves I never even got a start!

A LIAR’S TRUTH I only wanted you to lobe me and bring you joy. Time delivered from the Judge’s gavel is truth to a liar; Can’t you ALL SEE? I’m still that little boy! Truth told, through a fixed span of time, I have to please you! This is my need! The length of which, determined by the size: So I’m stuck in a prison that has no keys. Small truths—born from a fib; Learning to live without love, Immutable truth—the end-all— I need to learn now. When the lie is habitual. They’re unlocking my cell, I never feared getting caught in a lie; it’s ten minutes, until chow. My lies—hubris from ignorance. - Paul K. Valdez Reward, greater than risk, When that is all you’ve ever known; The Same Easiest for a liar (that is true). Sometimes it’s hard to say. Why I stay the same The truth won’t set this liar free; I shoot dope to stay up I am a liar—hammered by the truth. to use as an excuse when I mess up. But it’s time for me to buck up -Justin Begandy to put up or shut up. It’s easy to say but harder to play Learning To Live Without Love because the price we pay Learning to live without love, that’s what I to stay the same have to do. is so high it don’t seem real No one to touch, no one to make love to. This game we call life turns out Never again to kiss soft lips, or feel warm skin, with fingertips. Not to be a game or No one to hold and share my dreams, even fun to play… beneath the beauty of moon beams. Or bask in the glow of warm sunshine, -Jason Treadaway with that someone who would be mine. Selections on Self Reflection Learning to live without love, that’s what I Ain’t Getting’ No Younger have to do. I found a hair in my lap today, Because if I don’t, I’ll never make it through. Clinging to my jeans. These long lonely days, my misery, words can not say. I knew it had to be mine, Time keeps marching on. another long lonely day. For no one else had been that close. Time beats down on me and I’m not resisting, My hair, as anyone can see, is dark brown, because without love, I’m just existing. But this hair was nearly translucent, And without love, life ain’t worth living. White, sort of clear, and white some more, And I’m so damn tired of just existing. Nowhere near resembling the color of mine, I see this hair of mine Learning to live without love, it’s so unfair! In the mirror every day, Of a life without love, I’m so very scared. And it is definitely medium to dark brown; All this frustration make me scream, makes me shout. Nowhere else do I see these pale imposters. This trying to learn to live without. So it strikes me that they are hiding But to live at all, is more than I deserve. On the back of my scalp, So I’ll keep on trying to learn… Just waiting for the opportunity To live without love. To jump out from there and catch my attention, Throwing out a disclaimer to the idea That I might be eternally young. What? These pale imposters have already invaded US Marine Corps boot camp The hairs on my chinny, chin, chin, Relearn every last detail of how to live An obvious intrusion of reality, I suppose, Terrified, What have I done? On my dreams of youth and invulnerability. Just 18; twelve weeks last forever in Living Hell I have thought of coloring them, Disguising them out of existence, What are side-straddle-hops? Oh, jumping jacks But I’m afraid that they will only return Field day – Not fun, nor in a field. Just cleaning barracks In greater profusion than ever before. And cleaning, and cleaning, and missing life So, I guess, acceptance of my aging Faceless Recruit, you will never make it May be the answer to my distress, Acceptance of the consequences Graduation, a proud Marine still learning Of living to a ripe old age, Silver is better than Gold here As well as gratitude that this aging The effect of these memories will never die Has so far only affected my hair, A recent nightmare – Boot camp again. And again, and… While the rest of me ------Continues its rejection of that decline, Ten years in Prison is a Dime Being physically and mentally fit, I put myself here As my golden years move me along. Rehabilitate? No. Learn new crimes Strip away, to the animal -James A. Merrill, 68 years of age Much like Boot camp, without the self-respect Just Be Cause You put yourself here Cause and Effect, always one, then the other Emptied, filled back up with guilt What, then, precedes Cause? Hope evaporates with thoughts of tomorrow What is the origin? What causes the Cause? Offender. All you are, all you will be You put yourself here, but Love comes on Visit Days It runs deeper than mere belief or conviction Despised by People - You were once of the same Encompassing environment, judgment, experience Until you put yourself here Yet even these serve only as precursors Tendrils straying from the Root, searching for a Cause to embrace -Tom Williams

Everyone has a Cause Untitled Mine is the most righteous by far A Machine that runs off the blood, sweat, and tears Intrinsically unique every poor criminals dreaded fear Just like everyone else’s are we must, we must, live life in a rush For this I will live No time to think of the past and all the horrible for this I will die stuff I will kill any obstacle that’s done to us pass on to others I will anguish, I will elate, I will cry no fathers no mothers but so called brothers Without this Cause, That help us recover by releasing the anger I am not alive on so called strangers on a boy a man that’s just Nor is there purpose like you Vitality or drive poor, homeless, beat, outcast forgotten by the world resorting to drugs, alcohol, women, in worse case violence Cause: Brings life, takes the pain replaced by an empty silence Or delivers holocaust The Machine that never sleeps nor cease Given time, it may one day end us And yet another may serve to extend us -Michael Madrid

Cause is caused not only by experience or deed STRAIGHT TALK But by each one’s interpretation Its hard to feel righteous in a prison cell Of that part of the world which we know Where everything around you is going to hell. forged in the dying coals of unfulfilled goals You’re haunted by a past that you cant forget. You wish they would, but they don’t forgive -Tom Williams And everyones a critic, trying to crucify their brother with a plank hidden in their eye. Every word they say is just tongue in cheek. my brother became an addict I swear, its getting harder telling wolves from sheep. I learned to appear happy No need to sugar coat it, make it pop and fizz. I give it to you straight and tell it like it is. I was still afraid because I’ll never sell my soul in a soap box race. my feet were broken and I’ll leave that to the rats running in last place And excuse me for my French, but I dont give a damn my heart breaks easily about popular opinion, or the price of ham now I can't fall in love You can’t sell me a hog because I don’t eat pork. I dont believe in Santa Clause or the Stork. favorite color: purple I aint trying to be funny. Wipe that grin off your face. but I still wear red lipstick You think you’re something special. You’re just a damn disgrace. so take your spot light and five minutes of fame. so I learned to write prose When its all over all you’ll have is your shame. because of my felony record No. I dont think I’m better. I just keep it real. And you can think whatever this makes you feel. now my sister's turn for cancer. I’ve been hated by better. And loved by worse. I am cancer. But it aint gonna matter in the back of a herse. Because when its all over, and youre in the grave, -Catherine La Fleur you’ll be taking nothing with you anyway. My Journey's End -Robert Beard I'm rushing slowly to my Journey's End. getting closer and closer by each days end. A Few Things yet each day seem like a year in the pen. (to be read both horizontally and vertically) My life is a flash of memories, thoughts, and ideas My past actions playing out in slow motion quickly bringing My parents were missionaries me here. I got lost in Guatemala Here I stand not knowing my journey's fate, Just rushing along steady praying for another day. our piano lived in a homeless shelter I know there is a day written just for me, how slowly where I loved to play hymns is it coming along rushing dead at me. My journey is your journey traveled through different paths then we had a yard sale we are all headed for the end. Yours may be over the now I have no possessions hills, Mine could be just around the bend. So far I am thirty eight years in the wind. my Snickers candy bar was stolen I've done good, I've done bad, I have repented, I have sinned. but I have diabetes I won't stop any of these things until my journey ends. Slowly I am getting there quickly as it comes. daddy died from cancer I lived yesterday and today but tomorrow my Journey mom fought cancer she lost is done. and I broke my collarbone -Tony Lee later I broke marriages Moments Before Honorable Acts went to France to heal my heart In my cell with closed eyes, on my knees I pray with my forehead now I am an alcoholic to my stapled hands. over my shoulder the deck awaits my presence, hands and fingers were broken the multitude thirst for blood like a woman arena’s crowd. Old broken or not broke friends become enemies in the wake of my spiritual change, no money doesn't break but more I can't play the piano anymore worldly games I’ve outgrown my gang…but I put on my full armor to my car breaks down a lot and protect myself from the snares of evil, my mental state is solid as I then I had a break down so prepare my body for the physical battle. As I stand to my feet I grab I started to scream in my head my sword and place a kiss upon its powerful surface…then I turn sometimes my brain is sad to face the serpents. Outside my cell the ‘brothas” wait for me with pumpkin-head intentions as I stand tall like an almighty arch-angel Pills from In the beginning, I thought you’d be fun, another dimension. I must have unwavering faith when I walk out Telling myself I’ll just try one and work or Well I bet you can guess I’ll fail. so…I clear my throat, grit my teeth, ready my holy What happened next Excalibur and One led to two then three, and four open the door…to myself I whisper, most unclean…unleash your Before I knew it I needed much more hoards. This went on for a good while Until everything about me was fake, even my smile -Tori “T’Andrews” Starks My fiancé asked where did my Eric go I couldn’t answer her cause I just didn’t know Remember Me You crept into my life like a thief in the night Will anyone remember me? I’m winning the battle but, I’m losing the fight Recall the contributions I wanted to stay numb so I couldn’t feel I’ve made to my community? Not wanting to face the things that were real I’ve communed with thieves I was trapped inside myself, looking out. And I wanted to scream Confused my dreams with greed Somebody save me I’m stuck in a bad dream My need to be liked invited those I’ve been sleeping, that’s how I feels Who’d re-write my mind I guess this is what happens when you take too many pills Enticed wit’ crime I’d find The heck with this stuff I’m finally awake I hunger for ‘hood approval I finally woke up but it’s a little too late Will I be remembered with love? Now the Justice System decides my Fate. What have I given That those still livin’ should think of? - Eric KP I am more than a dealer of drugs But who will remember me A Stray As anything mo’ than a bad seed? I know the feelings of the stray dog A “G”? His mind and my mind have become one A local thug? His eyes and my eyes tell the same story We only truly die Once loved beyond measures, now loved none The day we’re last thought of And I fear to be forgotten His bark isn’t as loud as it once was Just as my voice trebles when I speak - Ray Sanchez Jr. Because communication us useless to us now Solitude is all that we seek Entrapment Trapped in this mace of life, Don’t know which way to turn, Together we stand, far apart I’m tired of being the one that gets burned, Do I except Able to spot another loner My fate or do I fight, two wrongs never make it right, I pat his head, he looks up But I’m a survivor with battle scars to prove it, one And we both become a little stronger Thing for sure I’m not new to this, Life isn’t fair Even if you play by the rules, somebody has to win We could never be Friends, him and I Someone will lose; I have a voice that needs to be heard, It just wasn’t designed that way Every story begins with a single word, it’s your choice But he now knows that he’s not alone To listen or disregard, No one says life is easy, but When it comes to being, a stray… People tend to make theirs hard, use your tools to Free yourself, Don’t be another brain in a jar stored - Daniel R. Jackson On a shelf, figure out your next more and shake This maze, life is like a story you must turn the page, Untitled Setbacks are only obstacles that challenge our strengths, I’m currently incarcerated, living life in segregation. To break this cycle of failure I’ll go through any length, Isolated from the general human population. Side by side hand in hand we a living proof shall But no matter what I’m facing… dedication, motivation, Understand, Every journey in life begins with that determination. First step, so have no regrets, In life we have I exercise my body as well as my mind. Choices so it may be time to repent, but most of I exercise my ingenuity from time to time. All for once liberate ourselves from entrapment Remaining still, I dialogue with my soul. I practice a lil’ discipline and self-control. - Sonny Juarez A deep breath in, a deep breath out. Waking up this morning, I smiled. Twenty-Four hours are before me. Con-cise, con-cepts, con-catenate, con-trive, con-scious, go on Another day to add my story. and con-gradulate, everything con-curs, nothing con-tradicts, The story of life, my life! nothin’ con-flicts othen than me bein’ a con-vict, I should be con- My spirit soars higher than the trees. tributin’ to tha con-tinent – A con-vent, never con-tent forever My energy rushes like roaring rapids. con-tempt, comments un-con-ventional silence, silent con-tract, My thoughts remain active, my wits growing sharp. con-signment and con-sent assigned to con-tacts, con-scripts with My vision no longer blurry, from searching within my heart. con-spirators that are con-crete, con-fides in con-figurations, it’s A spark, a flame, now it’s a full fire. con-ceived as con-ceit, con-sorting and con-gregate should con- Possessing my mind is what I’m out to acquire. genial/con-sensus/con-sistant, con-venticle, con-tiguous, con- Patience over passion. tinence, never been in a con-fessional, con-duct bizz like a Gee, My spiritual power is not in a hurry. he con-descends, con-fidantes a con-fluence of con-fidence … I must free myself from fear, guilt, judgment and worry. Tha Con’z—Tha Pro’z and the Con’z Meanwhile, I’m going solid and stable like an oak tree. I’ll continue on this path until I’m set free. - T. Carroll

- Cesar A. Cabrera Untitled How lonely must I wait in captivity While We’re Forgiving-Forgetting Our Past before acceptance shines upon the key What do you want from your life? How luscious must your gorgeous parted lips be That is the question that drives us. before they’re filled, fulfilling my fantasy Do you understand the meaning of Strife? How lingereing must the past pointed fingers be While were putting all our past behind fuss. before they lose skeletal, tangibility How long must this piercingly cold sorrow be I wish you to earn an understanding. before perseverance makes a man of me To gain knowledge, all on your very own. How lost must my wandering soul be Please remain humble, and not demanding. before I go within to finally see And try hard to stay off of my phone. all these Howling wolves inside of me

- R.J. Clayton - Brian J. Barrett

Untitled Fear Is My Oppressor I was named Jamie Do’von Chaffin I’ve wasted my life, running from the pain. I was born August 1st 1987 Nothing ventured! Nothing gained! Born to sin, love, cry and die young. I couldn’t understand. I was so confused. Cause, I was raised in the slums. Why wasn’t I loved? Only used and abused. With violence over women, drugs and guns. They taught me I was bad and deserved what they did. Wondering how my purpose was so unknown. But of course that’s not true, I was just, a little kid. Being trapped in the cycles “oh” so young. Now that I’m grown and I know they were wrong, My pain of wearing and being a color. why is the shame and the pain, still so strong? Was the choice of choosing a family or doing a number of drugs. How can I go back and undo what they did? But I was trapped, fighting da demons to let me go I’m Thirty-Eight years old and still scared, like a little kid. I wouldn’t die, so while walls and correction, let me know. It seems so unfair, most of my life they have stolen, But, than it was to late, now I sit back and think slow. than moved on with their lives like their special or golden. Everyone will hurt me and that’s what I believe. - Jamie D. Chaffin So I avoid them all, hoping the’ll just leave me be. But I hope that;s not true, because I’m so very lonely, Tha Pro’z & Con’z But I want them to leave me, not just use and control me. Born and raised in tha pro-jects, I adored tha ways of pro-spect, to Must I wait on god to undo what they did? pro-tect and pro-vide, pro-perly, pro-phetically, pro-fessed a pro- Then finally, will I be permitted to live? digy, pro-pogate, pro-ducts like pro-caine pro’s hate so much – I don’t want to wait. I want to live now! he’s pro-fane/pro-fame/pro-mayne, a pro-blem for them – he’s If someone could please just show me how. so pro-fessional, exceptionally pro-ficient in pro-cessionals, pro- crustean/pro-muslim/pro-christian, pro-gressive, check my pro- - Paul K. Valdez spectus, it’s pro-jective, pro-ceeding to pro-minence, pro- nunicamento, pro-cedural, pro-mise you I’m pro-vidential, pro- Revelation venance, tha pro-totype, your pro-tractor, pro-gnotic, tha pro- Past the point of stupidity, understanding gnosis: A pro-factor, pro-choice, pro-life, five times a day I pro- that simply knowledge is the key to stability. strate, pro-miscuous, pro-verbs, pro-bate say pro-create… tha Through the fires, past the bullets, from the gutters, pro’z. broken home and ignorant souls. I see the picture perfect,  A fresh pair of eyes through which I scrutinize brighter than the suns surface.  Examination of path I’ve taken to help me realize Change, I see it relevant,  Maybe my life of sin was vital to help my next of kin new frame heaven sent. Remember the days,  To help them avoid wrongdoing and all the bad it brings. remember the pain, but no! Not a care,  It’s crucial to iron out the wrinkles in my self first never walkin in shame. I never place the blame  In learning from mistake I must be well versed took up my chain, carried my yoke.  I feel far from cursed; in fact, my life is blessed From days when I was broke, nights when I was cold.  Even in difficult time I find ways to navigate around the Roof top sleepin, family thought I was a demon, present mess I never knew the reason,  The steps I now take lead me a different way black sheep fightin demands, 1 a.m.  Same draws stinkin, suicide thinkin, 2-11, drinkin. What I will find when I get there, I can’t really say… Pity me not! God’s lessons taught.  But I’ve come a long way so I can’t give up Made a man from the box,  I generate positive thoughts and keep my chin up born a man from the drop.  My trip to the past takes me through trouble Face tattoos, two, times forgive me for the lots.  It was my own but to others it brought struggle Relentlessly pushing. Resilience learned on old burns.  The difficult task of keeping me tamed While trusting to never trust, hoping and fearing love.  Scared cuz they always go. When I vowed not to be caged like a lion Even when I show no “emo,” I’m always thinking,  They struggled with trying to make me see no please don’t go.  That in fact, the truth is, most lions are free Really tired of the lonely wars, though I’m no use to the shut  But not to me; or so I perceived doors.  Upon reflection I see that I myself deceived Sleepin on pissy floors.  Especially regarding camaraderie Stair case drifting,  a little mary, just to get merry, It was never a two-way street cuz the pain, was to much to carry.  The difference between night and day Found blessing and it took a while.  When I was coming, they were going… Got the message, but it took some downs.  But not leading the way! Just leaving away! Been hit with a thousand punches, still sayin “ow!”  Into non-existence; a true friend was always non- Now I see glory and all I could say is “wow!” existent… Pushed away like and empty plate,  Epitomizing the phony… If I know then what I know now thought the ruckus was my fate, I would’ve ran by myself only. thought I was a worthless shit,  Answers to both questions are extensive did so many jail stints, seen so many vicious hits.  But I am at least now stating to comprehend them Lost my only love, never trusting love.  I’ll have answers to both questions in due time. Still survived, he’s saved me from my life,  For now, I’ll meditate and reflect on this life of mine from bullet shots and rusted knives.  Reflections on essence of my adolescence Kept me right, when I had no sight,  Before the answers I fest ask proper questions. so blind but he still held me tight. In the cold nights thought I was alone, - Cesar A. Cabrera when the streets was my home, he kept me strong, My life with the spirits to push on. Aging grant the realization This revelation is my forever song. That I can And must - Brian J. Barrett Choose To take responsibility Reflections Regarding my Adolescence For my own happiness From this moment forward  Reflections on the essence of my adolescence… And disempower  Turning back the hand of time in my mind’s eye Those who betrayed  What I see is lessons towards progression Sacred trusts  Before finding answer, I ask proper questions And crippled me emotionally  Like: “where did I go wrong?” But are no longer around To be blamed.  “what did I gain or attain from running the streets all day and night long?” Along with that choice Reality IV Comes the right We walk To say no Into the shadowy indifference As often as necessary. That resides in the hushed folds of our hearts A learned prerogative Never seeking to illuminate the grey pall Not allowed In which our excuses and forgettings lie. In earlier years. We brush aside Used deliberately the cobwebs which hide And decisively The crooked altars and broken idols No and yes That once held the mores and goodness of our souls, Can be the two Souls that have been sacrificed Most powerful words By the indifference in our hearts. In the English vocabulary; One draws boundaries; A spark alights, a remembrance The other opens doors. (perhaps) But then that too is subsumed and consumed Happiness can be constructed By the darkness more at hand With them. We forget -Lou Tompkins As unseen servants weave And veil our degradations once more Retrospect And once again we drift Look at life through my eyes upon the dark, lightless sea roams the impoverished communities that I’ve seen. That we have come to call Allow yourself to be raised in a fatherless home: Home. Where there are more sibling than there is food to eat; where clothing is passed on to whoever can almost fit it; -Brian Joseph Wake where roach infested two-bedroom apartments, are considered home to a family of eight. Light Look at life through my eyes. There is light attend the local public schools and watch as your peers, from the sky pay more attention to what you’re wearing than to what yellow, orange star has yet to be written on the chalkboard; sol makes growth. where Gestapo-like police officers patrol the hallways, armed and eager to impose their authority on future There is light profiles, who just happen to “fit the description>” flipped by switch Where tyranny, is the only alternative, white, blue bulb to the fear of the fighting five rivals simultaneously; lights the page where raging hormones satisfied within seconds with someone’s sister in an empty locker room. There is light Look at life through my eyes. inside of me Take a stroll through the neighborhood park on a hot summer colors all shades night. dark black shadowed Watch as basketball games to lead to fist fights and fist fights, illuminates the world. lead to chalk lined memorials; of the seven year old, who really should have been upstairs, -Catherine LaFleur once the street light came on; but wanted just one more try to prove to his friends that he could Talented pop a wheelie. Many days I have woken up and wondered Walk up the block and watch as an illegal dice game, What am I doing in here? brings forth a similar fate, to another single mother’s only male I have so many talents to choose from child. I have taken them for granted for years Watch as your best friends younger sister falls in love with lust, then watch as she becomes a grandmother fifteen years later. Even though I am aware of my talents Take a look through my eyes, I hate the fact that I take them for granted maybe then you can understand my rage. I wish that I had exploited the all to the world and used them to my advantage - Malcom Jackson The thing is, that I can still use them all if you control him, he will forever serve you. To share them with people who have a need Enough of a riddle just a few parting words, For my special and God given talents this enemy is different for everyone, yet so identical it is absurd. To those who are less talented than me This enemy is named “self” and to all he is oppressive until you master this friendship and take the offensive. When I do this, I feel so much better About not wasting my talents -Rene Farias And by sharing it with others it brings my life some balance Untitled When you are all done… and feel that sense of depression… -Benjamin Rivera Invisible tears felt through your soul… because of suppression. Running through your mind… searching for the key… IM JUST ME To unlock the secrets… of a peaceful eternity. Im not trying to be nobody that I can’t be… So why are these A place inside away from…the earthly tests… Shadows is trying to pull me down by my feet. Can’t stand to see A place inside away from… the pains of the flesh. Me live my own live in Peace. While misery is constantly A journey inside only your soul can make… throwing Away from the torture only… god can take. rocks at me…What did I do wrong? What can it be? Every day I Emptiness… your hoping to fill with divine love… I do my best to make sure I do good deeds….And the world isn’t Something to fight for… so I can rise above. still satisfied with me being me…. won’t everybody go away and I’m tired of this turmoil… I’m just trying to be stable… leave me be….I don’t live my life for you. I live my life for me. I pray to god… hoping he makes me able. You can get mad all you want. I wont turn back around from the All I want to know… Is there a reason for this madness… words you say or the things you do. All of you just hate the face, Or… am I destined to be alone… Im just me…. Lost… In eternal sadness -Lavonté D. Maxwell - Daniel Ahmed Powerful Enemy He is the all-knowing, which makes him of the worst kind, I Converse for this enemy knows, knows everything and can easily take I converse with history to find where I fit in control of your mind. Because It is easy for him, because he owns you, see. There is no pogrom in my past, no Stalin, For his is the power, of which you never be free. to subvert, no Pol Pot, no famine, He holds all the chips and possesses your will, no ethnic eradication, nor devastating destruction by mother this enemy is the strongest, for to eliminate him will cause your nature, own blood to spill. no sectarianism, no cultural identity, This leaves only one choice, that is after exposure, codified in a book passed down from one generation to another. which is befriending him through knowledge, experience, but no Toby a.k.a. Kunta Kinte, no Selma, most importantly composure. or political orientation, no language, no norms, For he is harsh and wild to the core. no martyrs, no battles fought. Because once he gets a piece of you, he’ll always want more. History’s, history, recorded by victors and I’m no victor; It take perseverance to tame him and make friends, as he has the upper hand and wants no amends. So I lament He sees, hears and knows everything you do, nothing escapes him and he catches, everything that slips by you. Yet The struggle begins with making him out, History, in lame, launched a stone at Stonewall, what follows then, is eliminating doubt. cried over milk, marched won the Castro, Recognize that is not lost, cruised Christopher Street, paraded at Pride, you just have to work and away melts his frost. danced on Fired Island, delighted at Camp. Some journey their whole-life, not knowing this enemy, they just take all the damage and charge it as destiny. History’s band played on as caner’d corpses While some realize this a little to late. passed the pen over DOMA and learned not to ask Other open their eyes early and strive to control their own fate. and not to tell and not to ask why? when Matthew died; Though some will fail to even know he exists, it’s the most mindful that identify him and fight with the mind not Then history sent Angels to America who declared, their fists. Hawaii is for lovers, so is Vermont. Who is this person, of which I speak so highly? Then history rhymed a bit, I’m sure you’d want him on your side, if in fact he is so mighty. when Civil Unions begot Windsor Knot; I’ll tell you this, which I know to be true, History chided me, reminded me, although we GRAZERS are not a legion, nor a nation unto ourselves, Slanted moments of Clarity I am not a without a people or past, with a present lucidity chronicled still, the towers falling I, too, have a history. with perfectly placed detonations implosion to ground zero -Jacob Silva the world gasps collectively Selections on Social Commentary And in perplexity Wires Returns to the confused delusion I used to believe Everyone’s losing the war In that thing we call science can’t fight what you don’t But magnetic thought did violence Believe in Made me raving insane Unillumined masses Infected my brain Chattel Now I know the whole truth Cattle can’t battle And I’ve told it to you the slaughterhouse And to countless smart people graze on: ipod ipad xanax xbox But they don’t listen to me netflix nextfix sony Saying how could he be Ticketmaster methadone martinis The first person to see it tripleshot Latte’ casinos with a While the whole world is wrong valium chaser porn gazer While we’ve known all along Constant grazers That science is strong moral erasure But I tell you just THINK! I’m not asking for trust -Geneva J. Phillips I don’t say to believe A single word that’s from me AS AMERICA SLEEPS Just look at the facts As America sleeps, Use your brain and that’s that The armies of America’s night Start with one thing we know Form in endless parade + cant. Than when two currents go In the same direction Unless America’s citizens They develop an affection Firmly seize their constitutional values, Start attracting each other Civil war will once again But wait! Don’t go further! Paralyze the land. Don’t draw wrong conclusions Avoid the confusion Self destruction is already evident Take away the wires = A legal system that is corrupt Attraction disappears = A medicine system that cannot It’s no secret Even imitate television well We’ve know it for years = Abortion + crime, wasted cities But we learn wrong things first = Lack of generosity, pollution And our brains are cursed = Destruction of farm land Do our best or our worst = Racial + political warfare We can’t solve the big problems = Poor educational systems Asking questions = Drugs that devour the soul of a nation Just the wrong ones = Unbacked currency, skyscrapers of debt It’s all wrong from the start = + a populace that values Only laziness + materialism. Think about this part: What do the wires do? -LESLIE AMISON

-Robert J Richter Unity What’s Unity? Unity is more than just a five letter word with a powerful meaning Unity is when enemy’s repar friendships And foe’s set aside beef So we all can eat! Unity is when people f color come together But often misdirected, to the destruction of the innocent ones. Unity is sacrifice! Unity is when you stand up and fight, Blinded by the powers that be. But in today’s world Not being able to see the difference between, Unidty doesn’t mean nothing What’s not real and reality. It’s just a word that has no meaning They think they do right by the power they’ve been given. So when I hear my so called brothers say But only in the end they bring more pain and affliction. Unity Their words don’t add up because Fear is what it must be. The things they say don’t have any meaning What they live within their reality. But don’t get me wrong Caused by the task they have taken. I know real unity when I see it Looking over their shoulder day by day, wondering if they will be Real unity is gettin’ bit by police dogs taken. Or gettin’ sprayed by fire hoses Or even a million men marching to Washintgon Justice is what they think they bring. To conform the same pace race But it’ only brings the end to people, like you and me. That inslaves us from the start. When are we goin’ to open our eyes - Micheal Pogue As a race and understand We are the true kings and Queens of this world! Chicago Style We are the ones who have the power There once was a fourth of July To change the World With baseball and moms apple pie But until we understand the ream meaning As evening was growing Of unity The fireworks glowing We will forever be lost in this world Red, white and blue in the sky The same world that The “ohhs” and “ahhs” of delight Was built by us Joined in the sounds of the night But not for us Grown up and child The same world my great grandmother and father Entranced and beguiled Lost blood sweat and tears As rockets made whistle in flight The same world that has my brothers and sisters Soon though the evening was shattered Behind bars for years on top of years Kicked in, molested and battered The wame world that keeps black mothers vryin’ X marks the spot And little black babies dyin’ Where Eighty-two shot But until we understand unity It wasn’t the flag torn and tattered Our people will continue to be blind! Faith though in brotherhood shredded And too in direction that’s headed - Davon Wells Instead of evolving The door seems revolving Perhaps where we’re stuck and embedded Spiro Agnew’s Speeches It seems that Chicago has seen I began to think. A weekend for sure rather mean =He wanted us there in the streets Caskets now filled =The cops, the National Guard, + the radicals With those that were killed =Terrorizing + shooting one another This time was numbered fourteen! =All to his crooked, great flag waving glory! - Michael S. Griffis Not that I am morally so much better than he. =I just don’t relish civil wars + heaps of corpses. Maybe Hitler was enough Maybe if black would treat each other better, than they will be = The films of German DEATH CAMPS able to completely come together. + THE BODIES BULLDOZED INTO DITCHES!! Maybe it’s because of the devils’ self-destructive drugs they been abusing, recklessly living in a world of confusion. -Mr. Leslie Samuel Charles Amison Jr. Maybe they are caught up in a deceptive atrocious trend, while it’s their own hearts they need to mend. Way Of Texas Maybe they are victims of broken families and their own self- They work in the name of the law. destructive communities. Granted with powers of authority. Maybe they are unconsciously infatuated, with money when it’s Doing good for what sometimes must be done. evil work people are going to the cemeteries and others are caught up in the diabolical corruption of the penitentiaries. and bullets don’t know any names. Maybe they will realize they are promoting promiscuous sex, by It’s unwanted pains for the families, giving them condoms made of latex. causing conflict between the mourning and the blame. Maybe they should teach them their bodies is precious and it is In loving memory, something they should cherish. staring at the picture of the deceased. Maybe if they knew to walk with integrity they would reflect their Another person on death row own dignity and love and respect themselves enough to protect that is never being released. their virginity. The court of law Maybe it’s the blind misleading the blind and for the genocidal uses the eyes of the jury to judge through, destruction they are deceptively manipulating their unconscious but who has the right to judge who? minds. More problems more funerals, Maybe it’s at an all time high blacks are constantly going to jail so how many more have to die? and as responsible fathers and mother many have failed. If we STOP THE SILENCE Maybe if they realize abusing alcohol has been many black down to STOP THE VIOLENCE, fall, they would learn to stand tall. we can change where destiny can lie. Maybe if they had the proper knowledge, they would be inspired It’s sad there’s more guns than roses! to attend college. Maybe if they knew the magnitude of saying “I’m black and I’m - Jerome Fitzpatrick proud.” They would stop trying to be part of the opposite crowd. Maybe if they learn to love and respect the “beautiful reflections” Schools Jewels of blackness within themselves, they would stop imitating All across this gracious land everyone else. from East Coast to West Maybe if you sincerely love yourself, respect yourself and honor our teachers with the toughest task yourself, than you would not have to pretend to be someone else. yet always ace the test Maybe you will ultimately look at the individual in your own From A,B,Cs and 1,2,3s mirror and realize the message of my divine words, could not be ‘til days of graduation clearer. our mentors guide with loving care it’s more than just vocation - El Roderick Mckissic It’s so much more than all three R’s at times it’s life and death Training Daze a child saved from Reapers grasp In American they train ‘em with teachers final breath The Middle East, they train ‘em They show the best in worst of times In the ghettos, the military of course, they train ‘em and too the pay the price Young killers of both sexes, veterans’ll train ‘em the gift of love is life itself In Europe they train ‘em and the of sacrifice Indeed, African trains ‘em These hero’s songs are most unsung A vicious cycle to be broken lest they continue to train ‘em their feats not brought to light Gangs, they train ‘em, religions steady training a thousand times a day take place Officers, mercenaries, the undetected serial killer with strength and grace and might The effects of a brain washed, the cycle of capitalism Today though brings this song of praise For sue the poverty, abuse and oppression is swift to train ‘em to those that make the grade To love is to be weak, neglect a true sensation mentors, teachers, helping hands A house can be no home if hate is the foundation the written accolade They’re training Thank you for my faith renewed our teachers got an A - Isaiah J. Johnson our children too from coast to coast have yet another day. The Cemetery Is Full Another person dead, - Michael S. Griffis but who killed who? Guns don’t kill people, Untitled people kill people Conform, confess cosign, concede and police get away with killing people, controlling you from the moment you breath so what is left to do? keep you conflicted constricted Washing the memories down the street, as long as you believe But still leaving stains of reality outlined in chalk your worth radiates from the images Because truth can’t be hidden under the white sheet. you see on TV Death is not racist we profess the truth and with subtlety deceive solid are you, me, Black, Brown, Red you’re just a product, an empty pock Yellow and poor Whites, people of purpose, a consuming slave a numbered barcode I ask the question, “how can we love ourselves on your soul engraved and our own, but use hate our neighbor, we will imply if you don’t buy yet proclaim to want to transcend and or produce-you are failing resuscitate the collective?” still inside your soul is empty and wailing We are no better than our neighbor, as we and if you don’t come around are no better than ourselves, we all have or breakdown known bloodshed—though institutional we will build places for you bi-partisanship, intensifies the social struggle, to reform, reconstruct paired with economic disparities. make you into a better replica robot to instruct As a gun needs bullets to discharge effectively you can never be satisfied with things we the people need a united common interest, yet you still try as all guns are different in shape, size, until all the forests burn down power, even color, all are created and all the rivers run dry to serve one purpose, to protect and to for every last resource restore order, destroying and uprising, we will scour as fingers connected to a palm, we’ll destroy the earth if even one finger is dismembered for your appetites to devour the entire hand is venerable, there is always something else your hands complexion has color, even for you to desire your this and hunger mixtures of complextions on one hand, covet never complete united and devoted to one body. shiny new madnesses Like it or not, if you are part of any and sufferable aches ‘prison class’, you are ‘the’ struggle, to weigh down your feet your history is my history. so trod on lemming go to the endless want Domestic loathsomeness is a mighty that makes it so nation of people labled as “the minority” to the sludge, to the mud my Brothers and Sisters, mentacide is to the grind a nation of separatist “qualified” we’ll keep the waves as, Latino, African-American, Indian swirling fast enough to keep you blind Native, Asian ect cetera of this world, it is time to form a fist - Gary Gregory and pound and punch through our racial barriers, together as an enourmously autonomous Untitled nation, a correlation of mind-sets. Punishment is the professed purpose but, Retribution and revenge are the real reasons. -Juan Roberts Incarceration incites individuals to Satisfy a sense of moral superiority by Skin of the Birch Obsessively obtaining oppressive ordinances Like dark eyes on the white skin of the birch Never know how near their own necks The black man covets what society holds taboo Swipes the sightless sword of justice. Northern winters remain too cold for them – mostly Helping keep the southern stereotypes alive for another season. - Carl Branson The whitest states are covered by the deepest blankets of snow End to Hostilities Resulting in even their food froups to differ While they define our reality, A few small things get borrowed one race to the other foolish stimulations blind out Helping to feign some “Breakthrough” side show election = vision, turning optimism to opposition The things that are in the hearts of these who prefer to be oppression sways the masses, snowbound tell a deeper, drifting tale. to not care about our solidarity How are we to proceed with the looming prmise of Global Cuz I just spit fire, Warming? With all due respect While southern borders rise with the alarmists ocean temperature The “Stars and Bars”, as well as the “Maple Leaf” -Ray Sanchez, Jr. Will share this new disorder, Brace yourself Canada. Miscellaneous Selections When they moved their sacred Alamo This bequeathed to the Dawn To the fracking foothills of the snow packed Tetons Yes, my foul feathered friend, Those same dark eyes on white skinned birches It is near Dusk when Darkness just begins. will burn those Northern forests, Just like Ferguson, Missouri You there alone, blink in vain upon your perch, While all other Wraiths wander out into their search. snow may melt but cannot burn An arboreal frame beckons you, to fly from Pitch, the safety of the cold will get to play its race card As Daylight, long yearns her Time to niche. so, rebuild your own damn desolation We fail to comprehend rhythm’s charm for lack, Then we can all find a new taboo. For not, your gaze reflects back from black. The glare of Rainbow’s colors in neon flare, - David LaCouture An oversight of your Creator’s own despair. Yet, we but sojourn on in pace with Dawn, With All Due Respect As often we shirk where Day has gone. Dear verse writers Into the Abyss, into the Void, into Chasms unprepared, I send my luv with all due respect There do dwell, Night’s very Dreams and Mares. Now, observe as my verbals bounce like a personal check Personally, -Robert McHale I peruse release with every verse that I spit Cuz, let's face it, as long as I'm faceless The Miracle Y'all allow me to vent Drones! But, if I put a picture to words, Create unprecedented tones could you picture me on your curb? Conjure tracings of a murmur Draped in ketchup, a gangsta encases the nerd (WHILE SITTING IN SOLITUDE) Case in point, Our breath turns into sounds Can you view you in my tattoos, dude? As again I start these movements Visualize the hate we speak Straining for Fo' those who wear the color.... An accurate use of words… True to the G-code, G's know we go Hard to the paint While air drifts along Would rather go home, but we can't With its light, solitary steps Would rather be square, but we ain't Untouchable noise And it's a possibility Dissolving the silence My destiny relies on thugs and thieves Into spelled words So I can testify to lives of what it's like to be a 'G' Manipulated Is you feeling me wit' sympathetic epiphanies? These fixed, yet faded fingers Maybe my baby was denied her dumb-ass daddy Pointing at nothing So I could share with daughters But gestured dreams The burdens put upon their fathers Of an empty street To explain the pain they'd know A diffused vacant voice If stopping you was within' their power More fragile; Than As is, you relate to what I say Threads of Glass Cause I'm just words on pages Eluding a Hurricane… Able to morph back and forth between multiple races I'm white or yellow, black and brown This song, even now back it down or hold your ground Flees from a distant tongue This is for those in the pen wit' pens Obsolete, And ain't playing around In a stalled unforgiveness like broken carousels, care for self, Unsung… And nothing else, Limits the soul and denies it wealth The only contact allowed here has it occurred to you yet Are shadows crossing paths That this is what thug life gets? Stretching to know each other Excuse me now, my mouth is burning They revel in the Sun’s light Off a wall, from left to right Dreams awry, Indifferent to any bickering Happiness bought… Speaking only their own language Memories die, Ohh… what remains A noiseless echo of everything following, watching from behind Desperate hours… It belongs to man, bird & stone Broken wings, Unaffected by the wind even. Blooming flowers, Yes… these remain Strange, that no one thinks To challenge that, that -Travis Newell Belongs to no one, yet everyone Reaching for the horizon… AM Anthem Every morning Correctional Officer Reams -Richard Conway Jackson Strides into our cell block - her head pulls Back to mimic David’s stone CPRE- launch I am Cocaine Position. Her jaw unhinges: Gooooooooood My name is cocaine. Call me coke for short. Moooooooooorning, she broadcasts I entered this country without a passport. Ever since then I’ve made lots of scum rich. Nobody gets the joke but me. Some have been murdered and found in a ditch. I’m more valued than diamonds, more treasured than gold, -C.F. Villa Use me just once and you too will be sold. I’ll make a school boy forget his books, Snowfall upon children I’ll make a beauty queen forget her looks. All around nothing but white. I’ll take a renowned speaker and make him a bore, But everywhere you look you can see signs of life. I’ll take your mother and make her a whore. A snowman dressed with grandpas old clothes. I’ll make a schoolteacher forget how to teach, The little children make Frosty with a smiling pose. I’ll make a preacher not want to preach. The joy of life can never be more present. I’ll take all your rent money and you’ll be evicted. The presence of snow is always it’s own link. I’ll murder your babies or they’ll be born addicted. It shows us there is more to life than we idly think. I’ll make you rob, and steal and kill, When you’re under my power you have no will. As a blizzard prevents all work and movement. Remember, my friend, my name is “Big C,” Children are free to play with nature freely. If you try me one time you may never be free. To take it a minute at a time. I’ve destroyed actors, politicians and many a hero. Building sleighs, angels and snowballs. I’ve decreased bank accounts from millions to zero. Parents laugh and reminisce as they recall. I make shooting and stabbing a common affair. Their life, their stories, their own meaning. Once I take charge, you won’t have a prayer. They see the little ones they used to be. Now that you know me, what will you do? You’ll have to decided, it’s all up to you. If there was ever a time to be happy. The day you agree to sit in my saddle, Snow always knows when to come. The decision is one that no one can straddle. Christmas at home. Listen to me, and please listen well, With the spirit of Jesus they are never alone. When you ride with cocaine you are headed to hell. The hearts of children remember love. As momma-Santa brings forth a bundle of toys. -Alessandro Milan Children remember with snowfall comes joy.

What Remains - Jason Miears Ifs are gone… Whens are past Drug Addled Dreams Childs grown… Whether curse or cure I’ll never be sure. First is last The nurse’s pull has overcome my will. Ohh… what remains To resist closing m eyes which open Seas rise… the door to the museum of my mind. Clouds part, Snapshots of life reflected in a sheen of fog, Parents demise… that shimmering mirage. Broken heart Medieval moat guarding, a garden of Ohh… what remains gravestones marking, each cinderblock of pain. Hope is not… Where once snow fell like spring Swallowtails, migrating in a blizzard of gold leaves. once you get settled in. Covering masquerade balls at Versailles, in colors vivid and sublime, watching You’ll get three free outfits. lovely as a Disney Cinderella. Some old used prison blues. As she danced a fluid waltz while I waded. And the footwear come standard, Witnessing in her dream, a sparrow, like with holes in your shoes. a lightning bolt, alight on a porch rail. Only to fall midst the detritus of life We’ll give you a job, while like a janitor, I whisked the broom you must work every day. across the floor of temporal prisons. Yes, we’ll out you to work, Clearing a wide path to mental freedom. but we’ll give you no pay. Yet puzzled as a panther prowling Paris, in search of a willing and worthy mate. Now it’s off to the chow hall, Failing to make sense of these drug addled dreams. where in line you will wait. We’ll feed you three meals, -Carl Branson but the food’s not that great.

Mass Casualties: this is a true story [poem] Back at the dorm, An F-14 Tomcat came in hard onto the flight-deck of CV-67; the you can sit in your cell, U.S.S. John F. Kennedy and caught the slack #2 arresting gear you can think on what brought you cable. The SKREEEEeeee-e-e-e-e/high pitched whine of the four to this corner of hell. inch think steel cable stretching out like a rubber band… then BOOM!!! Seconds later; the alarm… The worst thing you’ll notice, …”Mass casualties on the flight-deck.” are the tricks of the mind. “Corpsmen, bring your plastic bags.” And how ever so slowly, “Make sure to get all foreign objects.” goes the passage of time. “We’ve got ‘Birds’ to land.” Each minute is an hour, And, although my country put me here in prison. each hour is a day. I lover he more now, then when the sun has risen. So soon will you wonder, I served her proud until that fateful day. how you’ll live life this way. But, at age nineteen, I turned and went astray. Excitement is high Help was found through whiskey wine and song. at mail call each night. But never again, could I stay in one place for long. For some hope is shattered, Itching to crawl out, for under damaged skin, when loved ones do not write. Only to wake up each time, back in jail again. Now it’s time for lights out, Now I only dream, that I again could sail. what a strange day it’s been. And come up from behind/that bloody flight-deck rail. It’s like living a nightmare, To step beyond the tragedy that surely blocks my path. that won’t ever end. No matter how I figure it, I cannot do the math. When you wake up tomorrow, And through the horror of being right there. we’ll start it over again. Standing up, I couldn’t help but to stare. So welcome to prison, Their broken bodies and the hearts that ceased. let your sentence begin. We had to go out there and pick up every little piece. - Nathan Zimmerman The jets were coming back around… …running out of fuel and inward bound. WEIGHT OF THE WORLD: THE DEPTHS OF OUR SELFISHNESS… “Mass casualties on the flight-deck.” DOES LOVE COME TO THOSE WHO SEEK? “Corpsmen, bring your plastic bags.” OR DOES IT WAIT FOR US TO KNOW IT? ARE WE LOST BEYOND CAMPARE, -David W. LaCoutre TOO DISTRACTED BY FEAR TO CONTROL IT? WHAT FREEDOM EXISTS WITHIN OUR DOUBTS? Prison WHAT JOY WILL COME FROM ALL ABOUT? Welcome to prison YET STILL WE SEEK OUTSIDE OURSELVES, let your sentence begin. FOR COUNTLESS THINGS TO DRIVE OUR SHOUTS. There’s plenty to cover AND AGES PASS WITH OLD RESULTS, AND MILLIONS DIE DEVOID OF THOUGHT, Put your leaf blowers away; let us rake many great piles THAT WHAT WAS SOUGHT HAD NOT BEEN FOUND, Yet these leaves are not to burn though they seem to cramp our WHETHER SAGE, PRIEST, RELIGION OR CULT. style IT SEEMS OUR HOPE IS DYING OUT, Next time around this year whence a crisp crunch reaches your WITHIN SUCH PATHS WE’VE CLAIMED TO FIND. ear, THE COST, TOO HIGH TO LIVE ABOUT. Please watch your step, some cries for help are loud & clear THE CLIFF, TOO STEEP FOR US TO CLIMB. It’s fall… SO IS THIS ALL?..THE EXTENT OF OUR QUESTS? FROM THOSE WITH HOPE, ARE THERE NONE LEFT, -Isaiah J. Johnson THAT BRAVE BEYOND AND RISK THEIR LIVES, TO KNOW ALL LIFE, AND TRANSCEND DEATH?... Aquarii Serving Humanity FOR ON THE TINY SPHERE CALLED EARTH, Let us free ourselves. WITHIN THIS ENDLESS UNIVERSE, From our restrictions. IT SEEMS OUR MINDS ARE NOT ENOUGH TO Conceive of the future. CONTEMPLATE As having arrived. THE SCHEME OF THINGS, Fighting to be individual. BEYOND OUR EARTHLY NEEDS AND WANTS, Living; feeling alive. AND KNOW THE TRUTH OF HUMAN BEINGS… Creating a global justice. Exercising innovative ideas. -AARON V. HILL Getting away from crowds. Focused attention without. Good Living Room You would think to play there -R.J. Clayton just go in and sit Hello, is it Christmas or Easter Untitled or maybe just company coming Don’t go assuming you know how I feel or why Hey, get out of there, close those doors, you Some need a necessary pruning know you aren't allowed in there- and a slice of humble pie my mom would yell, no not say, Still-think what you will YELL! others know it’s just for show But give yourself a pat on the back Curiosity is a fleeting mental condition and pump up your ego brought on by the unknowing you’re just a shadow brought on by the want to know in the masquerade brought on by the child you weren’t there brought on by the cars out in the when the foundations were laid street, seen beyond the clearness the mask isn’t even really new of the glass substance filling To all things misconstrued the perfect opening in the wall I supposed it futility To need a dose of humility Please, can I just look in for a I wont even look you in the eye while so you can see it’s just a lie hear the quiet know that anger has and always will smell the clean leave you blind see the pretty When the volatile cocktails look out on the porch to the chains are already mixed in your mind that hold the swing long before they stirred Guess not. or slurred your speech Not allowed in the Good Living Room That hostility and bitterness buried are easily within reach. -Sherry Davis - Gary Gregory The Great Fall Autumn is such an intriguing time of year, inevitably on schedule Sleep Reds, browns, oranges & yellows floating to lower levels Maybe one day there’ll be a better day, To fall is to rise again, a season of nature for us all but certainly not today Indeed, the leaves shall return, vividly green once more as Spring Because currently we subconsciously Begins to call stand, but consciously run away. From the battles that’s better fought, Without me to guide it. and the dreams that’s better sought It’s just made of wood. after. I can’t force it to do what I can’t. Who’s your master, or the source That just ain’t no good. you choose to kneel to It has no mood. The being that the spiritual life’s It don’t eat no food. revealed through But with the power of my mind. think before you answer, because this And the strength of my hand. question is not a trick It sure filled up this paper. Question Gave me something different to do. Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, are just For a minute or two- a few selections Thank you, PE. Be aware that we will die, without ever reaching their perfections -Lorraine “Black Rain” Bennet-Kenitzki We argue amongst each other, and mentally break our brothers Selections on Hope and Optimism Instead Carry On Eating foolish knowledge, to keep Each day I meet my stressors our brains stable and fed My depressors And wonder why we want to jump, My oppressors every time we get to close to the edge Thinking All is hopeless Sad reality it will be, once we do decide Lacking strength to leap, and realize the world is, To carry on… Sleep… It is then I must take stock - Daniel R. Jackson For it is me-myself and My perception of these stressors Thank you PE That is the strength I got something I want to write for you. To carry on… Somewhere deep in my brain. Where I hide all my pain. -C. Michael Lau But I don’t know what to write for you. So I hold my pencil loosely. Poem (Untitled) Than tightly. Though the odds are stacked against us, I see a sliver of hope. Back to loosely. My optimism has broaden my vision from the naysayers narrow Like my whole life behind me. scope. My pencil want to find me. And ambition, propels me forward via aesthetic minds and sand But it gets lost. impressions. Like I pay the cost. Altering the course and process of natural-selection, For when I got lost. breaking down biology in sections Couldn’t find my way. then reforming a strong frame with principles and mental Not even today. intervention. Will my pencil Pray. I’m on a crash course with life’s oddities but I’m focused, To everyone who say. dividing man’s true nature from the dangerous doses of hocus- Look ahead. pocus. Look beyond. Don’t allow the magicians to fool you, the sky isn’t broken. With nothing to do. Only obscured by foggy mirrors and shady politicians who still I’m no good to you. smoke ‘em. My pencil lay loosely. Life is strange, I know it. Futures are even stranger when they’re Then it shine brightly. cloaked, Back to lay loosely. by ignorance, diluted education, systematic religions and caged With this head crammed full votes. My mouth stays empty tho’. But remain diligent, enlighten the weary and wake the buried. Hoping my pencil will tell. ‘Cause everything is possible in solidarity, only the weak find it Of all this living hell. scary, Still I grip it loosely. to stand up, to speak up, to find courage in life’s fights. Holding it nightly. ‘Cause it’s impossible to bring change if you won’t stand up for Then again I grip it loosely. your Rights. It can’t tell no story. Don’t wean from your constitution, the institution of a better I was in my windowless cell when I got the news, day, Mijito in our struggle for justice we will not lose! a brighter tomorrow starts with the first steps is what my mother Today we are born into a repressive state, says. Yet the beauty of the people is shown resisting on your birth date. So water your seed and nourish the beauty of an educated mind, Your precious life meant more than you would probably ever and be inspired, be motivated to set your goals high. know, ‘Cause I’m only one voice, one heart, but ‘together’ we can all Your small Brown fist has already dealt them a mighty big blow. rise, Transformation has started due to this pig’s actions, as an unwavering body, that’s standing up for what’s right. Look at the mobilization of people from so many factions! Your fight began the day you were born, -Santiago Duran Occupation will continue until struggle becomes the norm. Today we rebuild with liberation in sight, Incarnation There is no way in hell we will abandon Andy’s Fight! Old games of chance are what remain Of old designs shaped, all made in vain. - Jose H. Villarreal All dice were thrown and lots were cast, That were the life my mind held last. Chase the Darkness. Sometimes you feel like no one else cares The trace of what was once and died, And you are all alone in this life. What lived and failed at last, but tried. When darkness stares; and Ugly glares Out from within that shadow, I am born, Itself into stress and to strife Now come to be again on this new morn. People tend to find themselves What may remain for me ahead, In downward, spinning spirals. Rattles of another’s long lost dread. Losing touch with things that use Echoes of long cold roads and darkened nights, To bring them happy smiles. Racing away, gone, at the sun’s first lights. To stay there, in that place of gloom Desire and needs all left to rust, For any length of time, As I clutch onto this new dust. Would wear the poet to the bone Hungering no more for – I cannot recall, and rob him of his rhyme. Onto wonder of what, my new eyes fall. So, let the Darkness come and pass, Everfar from first dimple home, Take from it what you can. To everdistant, all alone. And stay there less, the next time; Come to see a path emerge and am flung, If it comes back ‘round again. Now go! A new mind’s-journey has begun. Put some words to paper -Alexander Valentine When there is no one else nearby. And chase the darkness down the road Give Aquarius A Chance Where you can sing your words on high. Others do not seem To take mas as serious. -David LaCouture Yes, I must admit: Many rules I’ve broken Take A Chance Aquarian Known to be very outspoken. You’re opportunities to rise. Let’s stop on this token. From abject poverty toward riches. Having hope for others, is Golden. It’s like a distance of sentence. Away from great writers apprentice. - R.J. Clayton #1078585 Let go of negativity. Accept equal measure of light. Andy’s Fight Spirituality, is the truth. Your presence lives on in every struggle against brutality, So hardly grasped, after youth A precious life not spared the coarse nature of our reality. A reflection of life under Amerikkka in the streets, - R.J. Clayton We yearn for the day youth need not worry about them folks Written to Fit wearing them damn sheets. A tiny space, no need to waste You were not allowed to reach your 14th birthday, This tragedy was felt all the way up in Pelican Bay. The last little corner, but I’ll warn ya’ Don’t expect much, I’m too rushed And the space was too small anyway! -Robert J Richter Prisoner Express U.S. Postage Paid CRESP/ Durland Alternatives Library Permit 448 127 Anabel Taylor Hall Ithaca, NY 14850 Ithaca, NY 14853-1001 Non Profit Organization www.prisonerexpress.org Change Service Requested

Thank you to everyone who submitted work. It is unfortunate that we cannot include everyone’s work, but we encourage all of Poetry Anthology you to keep writing and submitting your work. Best wishes from me and all the Prisoner express employees and volunteers. – Ben Volume 14