by Monica I am filled with anger because of the tears I had myself swallow. My soul is full of hope. My heart is full of love. My mind seeks happiness. It’s my memories that are stained with hate. Fishing, fishing – are you willing to take life’s bait? Seven years ago my heaven turned backwards, Now those words have stained my wrist. I reminisce to when I was a little girl for God’s sake. A little girl wanting to be a lady, They wanted to see her break. Three years ago I learned people were just phases. They’re here
Continue ReadingYear: 2015
Where Will I Be?
by Shawn D. I’ve moved all around to different places, I’ve even slept in a few parking spaces, Never enough money. I’m always poor, The music I listen to talks blood and gore, Insane Clown Posse is what I hear Suicide (hotline) is the way I’m ready to steer, Losing my mom is what I fear, I was born in Kansas but I’m Mesa raised, My life goes many different ways, I sometimes think of it as a never ending maze, Had a few “friends” that dropped dimes, Wound up in court, then on probation, I was twelve when I first
Continue ReadingLife
by Cody Life is a choice that we all have to make. A choice to do the right thing or the wrong thing and in my honest opinion I suggest the right thing. Because where I’m at now is not a great place to be. I am locked up in a cage where I can’t break free. I want to get out because I miss all of the little things like a bed, good food, and friends. I especially miss all the big things like my family, girlfriend and games. Since I have been in jail I have had a
Continue ReadingDear The Beat Within
by Joel J. Baul May today’s presence find all of you well in spirit and health. The world outside this tomb is beating like that of a heart, yet as we know it’s falling apart! It saddens me to know that (Jim Crow and McCarthy’s) are no longer dormant? I can only hope with all that is manifesting itself, there is a unification of enlightenment to ensure we haven’t lost our way and that we acknowledge we do need each other more so in these times than we know: Life is fragile, so too is our reproach. The four poems enclosed
Continue ReadingNothing But The Truth
by DeeCee The Beat Within, lets youth express their Soul within, from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse they overcame, and refused to be another story on the six o’clock news. Beautiful transformations such as Black Boys so used to cocking glocks, becoming righteous cops and protecting everybody’s block.Proving change is possible, believe and you can achieve. The Beat Within, an outlet in this dry ass Hall, for the ones that have broken the law and are stuck between these confined walls.The extraordinary outcome when pencil meets paper, is as fresh as a taper. A voice for the silent, amplifying noise like
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Volume 20.03/04
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this latest issue.
Continue ReadingI Never Thought I’d Be a Felon
by Chuy In my hand, I had a gun. I thought I was having fun. It was a little odd That the cops were calling the house So I decided to run. To my surprise Four cops were waiting Three with guns pointed at me And the other with a K9. He gave me one chance To get on the ground Before he released the dog. I did as he told. I wasn’t trying to get bit. Two hours later I was in my cell Mad at myself For the life I am living. Because I chose to have it With
Continue ReadingBeneath The Surface of Baby Red
by Michael D. Johnson My name is Michael Dwayne Johnson and I am a thirty-six year old man incarcerated in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations. My convictions are first degree murder and second degree robbery and my crime is gang-related. I’ve been in prison since I was sixteen years old and I have served a total of twenty years and five months. That’s approximately seven thousand four hundred fifty days of hell and a whole lot of thinking, crying and begging God for mercy. However, this whole experience has taught me a few things; 1) The gang lifestyle
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Welcome to 2015! Volume 20.01/02
Our first issue of the new year. Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this latest issue.
Continue ReadingCounselor’s Corner
Wake Up by Ms. M. Wake up and listen to me. Stop following dead end streets. So dark light can’t be seen so cold tears sliding down your cheeks freeze. The blind leading the blind Going nowhere fast Bumping into brick walls and stepping on shattered glass. Wake up and listen to me. Stop following dead end streets, Selling death to your people in sheep’s clothing With crooked smiles and sharp teeth. Tearing down your brother with words. Hating traveling faster than the speed of sound, Consuming your thoughts and blackening your heart. Don’t you want to make it? Don’t
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