by Keisean, San Francisco The last photo I took was last month, a few weeks before I came in here. I had taken the picture with my little brother, Craig. What I had on was an all-blue splash hoodie. The splash hoodie had like different colors of paint that looked like somebody just started throwing paint around and I had on these pants that had different things on it like the shark from the BAPE hoodie, two black bullets covered in flames, and other stuff on it. It also had rips on the knees of the pants. My little brother
Continue ReadingYear: 2020
The Simple Things
by Mervyn Wool fka Pure Dragon It is Black Friday and most people are out shopping to take advantage of the sales. I personally do not find Black Friday nowadays to be what it used to be. In the past, Black Friday was a thing, a day where people would stay up, go out at midnight to get in line to wait for the stores to open to shop. There will be large crowds of people in the parking lot of malls, parking spaces will be mostly taken, and long lines with everyone standing around chatting with excitement, waiting for
Continue ReadingThe Zoo Trip
by AL, San Mateo When I was in the 4th grade I had went on a field trip to the Oakland Zoo. The year before in 3rd grade, I couldn’t go because of my absurd behavior. Surprisingly I was actually able to go this time and it had actually turned out to be a fun experience. My day had started like any other, I had woke up around 7:30 in the morning and started getting ready. I showered quickly and brushed my teeth and then got dressed and was out the door on my way to school. It normally took
Continue ReadingRejection
by Jesse Ayers, San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, CA “You can’t always get what you want. But if yozzzzzzzu try sometimes, you just might find…You get what you need.” (Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones) for me it’s not that poetic. Kick rocks bro (The lady who rejected me). I know I am cute and funny. Some might say hilarious and handsome. I do my best. But there comes a time when you meet a woman and she laughs at all your jokes, I mean even the corny ones when there are moments where she is patient and
Continue ReadingBeing Accepted
by Mesro Coles El, San Quentin State Prison in San Quentin, CA Being accepted is the greatest feeling in the world. It is my firm belief that so many people end up locked up because they want acceptance from their parents acceptance from their peers, and acceptance from themselves. As social creatures, we humans seek togetherness, acceptance and sometimes we change our outward appearance and beliefs just to “fit in” with a crowd. This usually leads to bad behavior, crime, and a rejection of their lives to accept the views of people that hate them or that do not know
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Volume 25.45/46
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 25.45/46
Greetings friends! Welcome to another stellar edition of The Beat Within. This latest double issue is full of solid writings from our friends and colleagues (free and incarcerated) around the great state of California and beyond. It is such an honor to create this platform every two weeks and have the ability to share the art and writings from so many good hearted people, many we know and some we only know through their writing submissions. We owe a big thanks to you contributors, as you all are a part of history, when submitting your work to The Beat Within.
Continue ReadingA Lil’ Part of My Life
by Kenny, San Mateo Grew up in the city, man, that’s where I was born, went to school in the city from K through fifth grade. I went to Longfellow. I don’t really remember much or anyone, yet alone the teachers or anything, like that from back then so it’s hard to tell y’all about it. But after fifth grade I moved to Daly City. I was mad though because it felt like I was leaving my whole life behind. I moved to a nice little three-bedroom apartment, better than my old house fo’ sure. Back then I was living in
Continue ReadingRisks Are Everywhere
by Alan, Sonoma A lot of people are scared or afraid to take risks and do things that they think they can’t accomplish. They have a fear pushing them back from being successful and they give up on their dreams. They don’t realize that in order to be successful and they give up on their dreams. They don’t realize that in order to be successful, you need to take risks to learn something new. Each day you live is full of risks, whether it’s driving to work, or getting a new job. Or learning a new sport. You just don’t
Continue ReadingMom’s Passing Changed Everything
by T, Sacramento I enjoy being around all my family members – uncles, cousins, grandparents, and all. Even friends ‘cause they all help me when I’m down and boost my spirit up. Even in the situation I’m in right now. They visit me, write me, send pictures, put money on the phone, and don’t let it run out. Without them, I feel like I would be empty on the inside. I’d have a nasty attitude every day. But when I was younger, we used to spend every holiday together – Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthday parties, and all. Even trick or treating
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