by Anthony Billings, Pleasant Valley State Prison, in Coalinga, CA
They say hindsight vision is 20/20 and it’s hard not to agree
So in this year of 2021 this is written to help guide and lead
Time travel is not an option, otherwise I would have planned it
To go back to the seeds of my mistakes and prevent them from being planted
Although it’s too late for me and in a sense past my curfew
These lines are not meant for me but rather to be read by you
Strive to excel in school because your grades actually matter
Also, maintain a healthy sense of humor, life’s better with laughter
Make sure to smile every day and hold positivity as a rule
Be grateful for what you have and remember your glass is half-full
Always do what is right and your real friends will surround you like a wall
Because when you hit rock bottom they’ll help pick you up when you fall
So choose your friends carefully in days ahead, you will lead some
Right and wrong choices are in your future just know the difference between them
The first is a type of contribution to yourself or surroundings
That progresses you towards your goals and eliminates boundaries
The other one is much different and delivers joy to your critics
Will bring you pain now or later
and leave you on the wrong side of statistics
Some people you meet will wish you harm and lack your best interests at heart
A few conceal their motives for years and others are obvious from the start
No matter your background, sex, ethnicity,
or anything else they may ridicule
Remember discrimination comes in many forms
but not in the form of potential
They will point out your imperfections
because your discouragement they will seek
But love yourself as you are because your differences make you unique
Also appreciate what is classical and show respect to your elders always
I just care about our future, which is you,
a concern I hope these words can convey
Because without you my words are forgotten,
and become a gift never bestowed
Pebbles of knowledge I hold in my head that I’m using to pave this road
It’s not perfect at all, the panorama leaves to bare my mistakes
Here’s the ones from my past further down is the ones that I’ll make
So as you continue to grow and acquire pebbles of your own
Be mindful of what you create this is where your legacy makes a home.