by B, Sacramento I know what it feels like to be rejected. I feel like I’m nobody. I’m living and alive, but I feel invisible. And when I feel like that, I think why does everybody do that, I never did nothing to them before. It’s not that it’s that they don’t like you. And they hate on everything you. I been rejected so many time. I stay to myself. Nobody bothers me. I like being that way so I can figure out all my thoughts when they seem like I’m invisible. I stay that way because every time you
Continue ReadingMonth: November 2020
Hopelessness
by JO, Yolo You ever turn cold because you only feelin’ hopelessHad so many patnas now I’m wondering where they all wentThey love always counterfeitEverybody said they know me now, they don’t cause I’m callin’ emYou ever looked yo’ mama in the eyes her tears can’t stop fallingSending letters through the mail and none coming back to meMy own family got no loyalty because what I’ve doneThey think they deserve apologiesThey don’t want me in society I’m a monster in the’ eyesI’m gettin’ life and it’s a probabilityMy chance of freedom like a ninja winning lotteriesI’m the ninja who be
Continue ReadingPart 1, Chapter 4: I’m Not a Victim, I’m a Survivor
by AP, San Diego Later that night, I got away from the police at the McDonald’s. When we got away, my homie drove us to his house to kick it. After I took a shower, I went to the freezer and grabbed a full bottle of Jack Daniel’s. I started chugging the bottle to fill up the void I felt in my heart. Choosing to go on the run affected my life in so many ways. It was hard for me not knowing where I was going to sleep or where I will get my next meal. I partied a
Continue ReadingRedemption Through Rejection
by Floyd D. Collins, San Quentin State Prison I am humbled to be able to share life lessons and my experience through writing. In my lifetime I have suffered as well as endured rejection. What I’ve found to be very important is how I’ve reacted or responded when rejected. My life of crime is grounded on being rejected. I was a young man when my ex-girlfriend had an affair with a very close friend. I couldn’t comprehend why the two of them would hurt me in such a way. Back then I had zero coping mechanisms to deal with the
Continue ReadingThank You Beat!
by Brotha Dee, San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, CA Hello friends it’s your partner Brotha Dee. I pray that all is well with you and your families as you read on. I know that today is the day to spit fire at the corruption in power, however this day I’m going to sip on some cool water and give props where props are due. The Beat Within, Brotha Dee would like to say, Thank You! What for Brotha Dee? Huh, I’m glad you asked. Thank you for being a friend who over 24 years ago create a consistent
Continue ReadingEyes On The Prize
by Mesro Coles El, San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, CA When I hear the phrase “eye on the prize” I think about staying focused on goals. My primary goal now is parole. There are lots of things that keep us away from our goals, including ourselves. I know I have kept myself from my goals repeatedly by behaving in a way that was averse to my goal. Beware of these behaviors! I believe my greatest obstacle is me. I have no harsher critic than myself. I have been the one to tell me I am not worth the
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