by Efren Bullard, Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, CA I gave everything I got when I walked away from that old negative life style. I gave up friends that I knew since I was a child. I gave up hanging with them because I understood that nothing will ever come from violence. The moment I walked away from negativity my whole world opened up to new adventures. I began to see myself free one day. I didn’t care what people had to say about me because this is my life and I’m the only one who can live my life.
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Volume 27.21/22
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 27.21/22
Greetings friends! Our amazing one of a kind double issue, 27.21/22, of The Beat Within is back from the printer and now in your eager hands. Remember, this is the only magazine keeping it one thousand with you readers with a new issue every two weeks. No other magazine puts forth the effort, day in and day out, with our workshops, our amazing partners and colleagues who do their part to make this magazine so incredibly special. This week we are grateful to once again have our old friend, OT, step up to share his thoughts in our editorial section.
Continue ReadingWhat Is Freedom?
by SoniaGrandson, Rivarde Juvenile Detention Center, Harvey Louisiana What is freedom?No shackles on my hands and feetWhat is freedom?When I can choose what I want to beWhat is freedom?Judge can’t tell me what to doWhat is freedom?When you walk in yo’ own shoesWhat is freedom?You chase yo’ goals and become greatWhat is freedom?You see a person with passion not an inmate’s faceWhat is freedom?Going to bed after a hard day’s work.What is freedom?You live and you learn, butAlways be ready for things to get worst.
Continue ReadingGreatest Test
by Flo, San Quentin State Prison, CA I never gave much thought to the reason why I enjoyed the company of others as an adolescent. For as long as I could remember I have always been this extroverted social butterfly. I was both a good student and class clown. Even in serious discussions I can conjure a joke. I was an entertainer. On the surface it seemed pretty healthy. There was no real harm in that, no signs of dysfunction right? However, there were a bevy of underlying issues not realized. I was in an abusive household. Fear, lead me
Continue ReadingPlaying Cops and Robbers
by Jose “RawRaw” Robles, Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, CA Playing Cops and RobbersNo more time it has expiredDaylight shines the night retiredNo more waiting in the shadowsThe light retreats it is that hourBack and forth in night and dayHide and seek the game we playNo more tag and now you’re itNow it’s toe tag if you’re hit.For My MommaA mother’s love for her childUnconditional true and pureEven as a grown man with flawsHer eyes look at me with tender patienceBecause I will always be her childThough she can no longer carry me in her armsAs when I was
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Volume 27.19/20
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 27.19/20
Greetings! Another week another Beat! Welcome to The Beat Within’s latest double issue, 27.19/20! Where is the time going? 2022 is flying by, as the summer months are now upon us. As for this latest issue, there is plenty of wisdom, art, and thoughtful writings for all of us who are so privileged to pick up and be a part of this one-of-a-kind publication. We could not do this work without you contributors if you are simply reading the magazine or coming from the heart as a writer and artist. Let’s cut to the chase and pass the keyboard to
Continue ReadingWhy I Write and Write and Write
by JJEM Youth Services Center, San Mateo, CA People take life for granted and when they do, there is always somehow consequences. People who are barely joining the journey of my story welcome and enjoy the ride. Yeah, I witnessed a lot of violence throughout my life. My dumbass father always left bottles of beer lying anywhere around my home and my one-year-old self would stumble upon it and start drinking it. Then eventually I’ll be a damn one-year-old drunk, but yeah forget that. When my father left, I had to be a parent and a brother to my siblings,
Continue ReadingI Am Better Than I Know
by PR, Sonoma My dad has never came through or kept to his promises. I guess me and my sisters weren’t his first priority and he never tried to be there for us. To me, it made me feel alone, neglected, and not worth being with. To be honest, I wish I had an answer because I never knew what was going on in my dad’s mind. I always thought it was because I wasn’t good enough or didn’t turn out as my dad wanted me to look like but to this day, I still don’t know. You know I
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