Greetings friends! Welcome to double issue, 24.11/12, of The Beat Within. As always, you wonderful readers will be getting a one-of-a-kind snapshot of amazing writing and art from various institutions from around the great state of California and beyond! We truly appreciate all the hard work that goes into making this publication a success, starting with you facilitators and volunteers who support the amazing writers in our writing and conversation workshops, to those who find the time independently to reach out to us with their art, stories, poems and reflections. A big thanks to all of you. It’s been a
Continue ReadingAuthor: mpau@thebeatwithin.org
Anger Can Be Your Friend
by John Vasquez Many people believe anger is a bad thing, but it can actually be your friend. Anger is a natural human emotion just like fear, happiness or sadness. Everyone gets angry from time to time. Why? Because we’re human. Unfortunately, people often think anger is bad because they mistakenly believe that anger and aggression are the same things, but they’re not. Anger is a feeling. Aggression is a behavior. Aggression is just one way to express anger. Hitting, assaulting or cussing someone out is an act of aggression. Anger is the feeling behind it. Anger is a powerful
Continue ReadingMe and My Life
by Mindyours When I was twelve-years-old my dad got shot. All I ever wanted was revenge. I got so caught up in going to shoot the sucka that shot my pops. After all that stuff happened I started to really get in the streets. I started robbing people to get my money right. I started to fight any and everybody. What really hit was when my mother left my brother and me for another man. I felt so alone and I had to raise my little brother. I was so young so I started robbing more people to make more
Continue ReadingVolume 24.09/10
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 24.09/10
Welcome friends! For you avid Beat readers, OT should be a recognizable name in our pages, especially if you embrace the editorial note, where he so kindly shares his truths and observations. For your information, OT has been connected to The Beat since his days as a young person inside San Mateo County Juvenile Hall aka Hillcrest, where he wrote like most of you, during our workshops. The one thing different, upon his release from the system, OT reached out and made a point to stay connected, despite the ups and downs, and that he has for nearly 20 years!
Continue ReadingI Am Like That Of An Oak Tree, Scarred Yet Sturdy
by Keith Erickson I often think of myself as this sturdy ancient oak tree that has been tucked away in the stilled quietness of the forest. I may have many scars, yet I’ve come to truly believe that each one of them has been a part of the necessary afflictions for which I have had to overcome in order that I may have become what I am today, which is a much better man than I could have ever become without these scars. Each and every one of my scars, like that of the markings of this oak tree, is
Continue ReadingTo Mi Prima
by Shadow What’s good? I know this may be a hard time for you, but keep your head up. I don’t know why you had to come in here, but you did, and to be honest that shhh hurt me. Why? Ask yourself, was it worth it? I don’t mean to be hard on you, but seriously. Honestly, I’m happy to see you, especially after about a year, but if I had a choice, I would prefer you to be out and not get a chance to see you. This place isn’t where you want to be. I don’t want
Continue ReadingVolume 24.07/08
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 24.07/08
Hello friends! We welcome you readers to yet another fabulous double issue, 24.07/08, of writing and art from the inside and beyond. Mark our words, what you are about to read is like no other publication. In our eyes, this is as important of a read as any, especially given the times we find ourselves in, as these thoughtful writers (young and old), free and incarcerated, give it to us straight and on point, their stories and truths as they see fit. If you like what you read, please have a heart and share The Beat Within with a friend
Continue ReadingTo My Brothers And Sisters
by David A. Prado I am writing to you and reaching out to you all with an open heart. As well, hoping that you all listen with an open mind. Just to throw this out there, I am in no way trying to lecture to you. You all solely have the power to make your own decisions. My unhidden reason, why I am reaching out to you, is to share my own life story with you all, in hopes that it helps make an impact on your personality, to at least question the path that you are on currently. Before
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