Psalm

by Deanna Thompson

Memories flood my mind

like a river of fire

The pain and suffering

Clouds my thoughts

Unable to forgive and forget

I sit lonely by myself watching

Watching each person slowly pass by

I beg to be able to soon forgive

The one I love so dearly in my heart

No visits, no mail, no money

It seems as if he does not care

Allow me the strength to soon forgive

Please allow my head and my heart

to be wiped clean of the pain and misery

It is slowly eating me

from the inside out

The Top of the Hill

by El Chato

Climbing the hill and staying on top is the place you wanna be.

All the beautiful things you can have and see.

Like a firefighter climbing the ladder to its highest peak

Rescuing his tragic heroine is no job for the weak

A loyal and hard-working factory worker dedicated to his job

Fourteen years of his life finally paying off

Giving orders and making sure everything is in its place

Being the main plant manager was his faith

Making the right choices and thinking ahead

When shit hits the fan you have to have a strong head

Not everybody can do it, but anybody can be true

To who you are and stick to the plan, to stay

On top of the hill and always have the upper hand

Little Boat

by Isaac Peña

I sat on my boat day after day waiting to find land. I get my telescope every night to look over the horizon hoping and wishing and Island will come into view but it never does. Sometimes I feel like I've been cursed by the gods and I should give up hope. But if the gods really cursed me Poseidon would make waves to destroy my boat. So I'll continue my voyage out on this sea. And if I can't find an island, maybe an island will find me.

Commissary (a Pantoum)

by Ashley Elliott

I'm getting fat

always wanting a dip

can't live without commissary

coffee at my side ready to sip

Always wanting a dip

A soup right before bed

coffee at my side ready to sip

I'm so heavy walking makes my face red

A soup right before bed

piles of fat cake wrappers

I'm so heavy walking makes my face red

eating a sleeve of crackers at a time

I'm getting fat

piles of fat cake wrappers

eating a sleeve of crackers at a time

can't live without commissary

A Guide for Life

by Deanna Thompson

Well with the life I have lead by making my own choices, I choose God to be my leader! I will follow him til the end of my days. I will take every path he shows me! He is awesome!

I really don't know what to write about, I am lost for words! I know I'm here for a reason! It probably saved my life. Well I know it did! It was him that helped land me here! He gave me a chance to take my own roads and every one of them were destructive!

It has put a lot of strain on my relationship with my children. Especially my 13-year-old. This is a time in her life when she really needs me and I'm not there. The sad part is I wasn't there when I was out either. I was lost in sin and most of all addictions! It's really sad now that my mind is clear and I realize it! I am really praying for her forgiveness! My 16-year-old on the other hand is very hurt but she is there she loves me anyway! She is my girl! maybe she's just better at hiding her pain and anger and trying to be strong for me, maybe it's the age! Not real sure which but I am so thankful she is there the way she is! It helps me to deal with my younger one a little easier.

As for my relationship with the man I love it seems to be getting better. He has came clean and sober! It has made a big difference in him! He comes to see me on visits he brings my daughter. They leave me money when they have it, and I've been getting a little mail, not as much as I would like but who can complain! God does answer prayers these are some prime examples!

Psalm

by Cynthia Funderburk

My hate is cutting me off

From the sunlight of the Spirit

I'm consumed by my Heavy Heart

I'm begging God to help me Love.

My heart longs to be free

But the chains of unforgiveness

Weigh me down

Pulling at me

Like quicksand.

I look in my Dad's eyes,

He doesn't know who I am.

He doesn't know what he has done.

I come back to my cell and

drop to my knees.

I'm begging you Lord

Let me turn this over to you.

I'm blinded by my tears

But they're not just for the

Hurt he inflicted. I cry

because I remember loving

Him too. I start to remember

some good times too. I cry

because God has shown

himself to me again.

Forgiveness brings my God to me.

He forgives me too.

God is love, there's

no room for resentment

when you walk in the

Light.

The chains are off me

My yolk is lightened

Even though I'll never hear

"I'm sorry"

My heart is no longer hardened

Forgiveness makes this no longer

Something that will

Bind me to this world.

I have placed my

Hope in the Lord.

With him all things are possible.

Praise the Lord...Amen.

A True Poem About Myself that is Kind

by Shane Senter

Once upon a time in a enchanted place called the Hills, lived a boy named Shane...who had no brothers nor sisters. But a lot of imaginary friends, he grew up fast went through school and then had a lot of real friends. He loved to go fishing, and at at 13 took up music "The Guitar." He was a good kid, only angry when someone or something was angry with him, through teenage years of 15 met his first love "Amanda" which was very serious, and fun!

This dude had a band at age 16 and played a lot of Big Boy Party's and places. Second love came along "Rhonda" who broke his heart but gave him his only son Michael! Awesome!! So I love that boy a lot. Michael brought my family closer together Me-Mom-Dad-& Mikey are really close to each other. They are my everything! So there is a kind ending to this it's called unconditional love for family. Life is but a mist that quickly evaporates, so be thankful & kind in your walk of life.

Christmas in Jail

by Jessica Burchett

December 23, 2009. I try my hardest to forget what day of the month it is. Each time I hear a Christmas song, I want to scream. My son, Jarred Walker Burchett, pops into my mind as "Frosty the Snowman" comes on TV. I picture his small, two-year-old body unwrapping gifts, having a fun time. While I sit on a cold hard picnic table eating bland tasteless food. Never in a million years would I give up my son's second Christmas by choice. I want to sit and watch his little face light up with joy as he opens all the gifts. Wrapping paper all over the floor, my dad in the background cussing like a sailor while he tries to put together the new toys. The smell of Christmas dinner filling the small house. Instead, I see no snow, no gifts, or joy. I sit along in my bunk waiting for the new year to come. I feel no need to get out of bed or make any effort. I messed up my life and now I am really feeling the effects of it. No joy or holiday cheer for me this year. If we are lucky the lunch tray may contain ham and a few other surprises. Either way I will still feel no joy. I plan to lay in bed and try to sleep the day away. It is only one more day of the year. Coming and going just like yesterday and the day before.