We are back, after our summer (4th of July) break. We hope all is well with you? We are grateful to all our partners for continuing to share our prompts even during our break from workshops, thank you! We also appreciate your patience in getting this latest magazine in your hands, as we pushed our publishing deadline up a week, as we truly attempted to embrace our time off. In this latest 76 page issue, we have more writings from our dear friends in Rivarde Juvenile Hall in the Jefferson Parish in Louisiana. We also want to welcome our new
Continue ReadingYou Lied
by AV, Sacramento You never looked me in my eyesYou never cared that I criedYou told me you loved meBut go ahead tell me…you lied‘Cause the moment is hereThe moment is nowWhere I’m giving up‘Cause you let me downThey say when you dieYou’re in the skyBut we’re buriedIn the groundSometimes I wishThat I could find outGive up on lifeAnd not be aroundI know when you’re wrongAnd I know when you’re rightBut still…I never left your sideMy life has no reasonYou broke my heartInto piecesMy soulIt has purpose!This lifeIt’s not worth itI want to scream and cryBut instead…I say I’m fineI
Continue ReadingMore to Life…
by June, Santa Clara Teach the youth to all my youngstasThere’s more to see than just the blockThere’s more to life then toting glocksBetter play it smartdon’t wanna live yo’ life inside that boxThere’s other ways to get yo moneyYou ain’t gotta serve no one but youYou only get one chance at lifeYou don’t get to do it twiceThe streets ain’t the samethey got infested with these miceBetter stay up out my waybecause the streets ain’t playing niceYou ah prolly lose yo’ rightsOr mess around n’ lose yo’ lifeMight dig yourself a hole so deepthat you could never see the
Continue ReadingTeach the Youth
by Teacher, Santa Cruz An important thing for young people to know in order to be successful is to be yourself and to not try to be someone you are not. Most of the time people will try to be like someone they are not to either impress people or just to try and fit in. I like to be myself because it is good that people know who I really am. It is also important to be honest when you think you need help, either counseling, anger management classes or more help in school. It’s important to be honest
Continue ReadingMerry Go Round
by Jovaughny, San Mateo If I was to describe my life as a ride it would be a merry go round because I’m in and out of places like going from jail to house to house. It’s been going on all my life. The thing that bothers me is when my mom died I just lost control of myself. I’ve been stealing and robbing people like I have nothing to lose but I do. Now I’m in jail and I don’t want to be in here but I have to face the consequences. I will be out of here soon
Continue ReadingKintSugi
by Mesro Coles-El, San Quentin State Prison, CA I am brokenFor yearsI was openTo abuse fromPeople needingEgo-strokingThat berated myNeed to be outspokenInstead of supportThose who told meThey loved meFiled reportsThat lied to meWhen theySold meMeanwhileWhen I was in courtWhere I boldlyTried to get homeI wasOut of sortsAngry and lonelySomedaysI stare atMy shardsGathering dustThe floor isSo hard!In too many waysI’m scarredSo much soIt feels likeHappy daysJust aren’tIn the cardsFor sportSlave holdersCarve toFold meInto my kennelI’m a soldierThrough hunger painsMade bolderBy my soft touchThat got meBoiling in life’s kettleWith no oneTo hold meThen I get mailFrom peopleI love and trustAnd mix theirGolden
Continue ReadingHope
by William Curl, Corcoran State Prison in Corcoran, CA Hey, how’s the people? I realized not too long ago y’all be writing to prompts. I’ve gotten a few in the magazines but I always go on my own lil’ tangent. The other day I received some words from David and he included some prompts wit “HOPE” being a potential subject. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to talk about that! After existing so long without it I have a spiritual appreciation for it. HOPE is a real deep word. It’s synonymous with love in way of trying to articulate what
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Volume 27.23/24
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 27.23/24
Greetings friends! Summer is upon us and our latest double issue, 27.23/24 is ready for all our friends, colleagues, associates, partners and various supporters. We are super excited about all the possibilities coming our way these next few months and beyond, as we are currently working on a very special Covid issue for Santa Clara County and one for all of our readers. There is plenty of amazing content (since March 2020) that speaks on this pandemic from so many of you. Talk about a true history book documenting the times. Also, over the past month, we have been traveling
Continue ReadingWhat Is Life?
by XS, Sacramento What is life? What is the meaning of life? That is the question I ask myself every day. At age ten is when I lost my brother. It made me numb to life. I didn’t understand why. What is life? Being shot in the face at eleven, I realized not everyone lives through this. What is life? Having my mom put me into the system was the beginning of my downfall. Going through it, I saw it as a game. I saw it as a game sixteen times because I thought it was daycare. I was not
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