Watch Who You Trust

Piece of the Week

by Jamil I just sit and think of my past and I’m like dang, what a waste of life. Nothing but the same thing everyday. Running and scared of what? One day on November 1st, I woke up so happy like always and it was just a normal day for me. Just like every day and I wanted to go to my best friend Alric’s house so bad to get Wi Fi for music and Facebook. So I went to his house. I remember the last words I told my mom and my brothers were, “I love you mom I’ll

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Life Easier To Bare

The Beat Without

by Clarence Reese My life has known sunshine, has known rain. A life of little joy linked to an abundance of pain, Washed in a bird bath of tears I have caused to be shed, Who blew out the spark leaving no light up ahead? Roaming, cold, sweaty, walls of ink dripping tattoos and raw scars, Why do memories fade into dreams lost upon waking up behind bars? Near the shadow whose figure leans tilt, it has slip Sways handicap, without a mast, my life, a handicap ship Drifting in a sea of waves far from home, far from port,

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Counselor’s Corner

Counselor's Corner

Wrong Reason by Burnley I need some motivation. Maybe some inspiration. I feel like I’m in NYC and the police are choking me, I can’t breathe or conceive, as I run down the street with my hands up, bullets flying I think they’re hittin’ me. My mind turns to when I was twelve years old, playing in the park with my BB gun, can’t you see the police are killing me, as me, she, and he become we, not for the right reasons, but just for the season. The US government is trying to charge me with treason because some cops

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Someone Watching Over Me

Piece of the Week

by Karina My days locked up feel so long. Drifting on a memory can’t believe you’re gone. I miss you with all my heart. I wish God, would have warned me from the start. What did I do to deserve this? I didn’t even get one last hug from you. Oh baby, God took your love from me. I need to see my angel so it seems. It’s hard, to keep on living this way, I need you here with me. Why did he take you away from me? There is nothing that I wouldn’t do, I’d lie for you. I’d

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Dear The Beat Within

The Beat Without

by Cody Ladd My name is Cody Ladd, and I’m an inmate incarcerated in a California State Prison. Born and raised in Humboldt County. A fellow friend/inmate told me about The Beat Within.” I’ve read and highly enjoyed it, and would love to be a subscriber, please. I love to read, writer and draw, so I am most interested and can truly relate and connect to The Beat Within. Please do let me explain: I love how the Beat supports the youth, and those who are incarcerated, locked away in jail or any other facility, state- or nationwide. I can

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Seeking Happiness

Piece of the Week

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

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Where Will I Be? 

The Beat Without

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

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Life

Piece of the Week

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

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