by G, Sacramento Everyone at one point in their life faces some sort of difficulty. That’s just my life. My father died six years ago, when I was eleven years old. And still just thinking about that right now makes me panic. I can’t stop the panic. I can’t think, I can’t breathe. It doesn’t stop and I try to ignore it and I get angry and sad and hopeless, and it doesn’t stop. Cut, burn, scratch myself, pain, and it helps it to stop. My dad was nice, my dad was caring. I loved my dad. I remember I
Continue ReadingYear: 2022
My Life
by JJEM, San Mateo Alright got that out of the way, so let me catch you up from the last time I left off on my story. I left off on the part where my friend Steven had a seizure and Georgie and I thought he died right in front of us. Also we three were under the influence of alcohol and we were also high, but Steven and I were also under the influence of what you people know as LSD, and not the “mushrooms,” but also known as paper/gel tabs. I hope this story helps you understand how
Continue ReadingWhy I Write About Pain
by Jesse Ayers, San Quentin State Prison, CA I was reading some of my latest Beat Within publications and I realized I write a lot about pain. I started wondering, “Why do I write so much about pain?” Here is what I came with. When I start living a life full of love, joy, and happiness. Then I’ll start writing about love, joy, and happiness. Until then, I’m gonna tell you all about what I know, pain and suffering! I know I haven’t experienced the same pain that some of you have. I met people in prison that have been
Continue Reading22 Tips For 2022: Lessons Learned
by Leo Cardez, Dixon Correctional Center in Dixon, Illinois I was called to see the nurse today for my annual check-out. Towards the end of my visit she quietly turned around gloved up, lubed up, and instructed to drop my shots, turn around and bend over. “What, why?” I pleaded. It was time for my prostrate exam, she explained. My first thought was, damn I should have made sure to wash my ass before I came over here today. Then I remember reading in the Department of Corrections Manual that prostate exams weren’t required until you’re over forty-five. I pleaded
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