-Tasha, California Institution for Women in Chino, CA It isn’t the darkness that I’m afraid of, it’s the light. Light illuminates parts of ourselves that we bury because we find them unacceptable. That self lives inside because we are afraid to confront who we might really be; like how we become overachievers trying to cover up low self-esteem, so a false self becomes like an SPF to shield our ego from the sometimes blinding light of truth. This is where under the cloak of darkness, jealousy, pride, boastfulness, rudeness, hate, and apathy hide. It’s cool to inflict injury upon others
Continue ReadingAuthor: mpau@thebeatwithin.org
It’s the Intention That Matters
-Maria, Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, CA Kindness comes in many forms. There are times that the greatest acts of kindness come from the smallest forms. It’s the intention that matters. Being a mentor here I do what I can do to be available for others, to the point when there are times, I feel depleted. I go through challenges myself and I choose to wear a brave face. The greatest act of kindness comes when that one person comes along and actually stops long enough to really see past my smile. They take a second to ask,
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Volume 30.09/10
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 30.09/10
Welcome back readers to another incredible double-edition of The Beat Within, where our incarcerated community across the country comes together to share their opinions and experiences on our weekly topics. We’re glad to have you with us, and to share space with you in our pages. This issue’s editorial note is brought to you by Michael Kroll, AKA Einstein, who encourages us to take the time we need for ourselves to simply just “be,” especially in our fast-paced world where we prioritize production and efficiency over leisure and enjoyment. Please join us in welcoming our longtime friend and colleague, Michael
Continue ReadingSpeak Truth
-Margucci, San Francisco I speak truth when I speakAll my life I held it inIt’s time to let it freeI’m not gonna lie, I’m a tweakerPlease just let me beDon’t like situation ultimatumsLike either you or meBecause if it go down, I’m goin upI’m choosin meMan, I think I love this girlProlly found my peaceI’m on to bigger, better thingsHear it in my speechI’m workin hard, I got scarsDreams within my reachI want to wake up and see wavesHouse up on the beachIf you tryna hear the truthThen you should speak to me.
Continue ReadingHard Situation
-Lul B, San Mateo One day I was laying down on the couch when I heard a woman scream. I wanted to help, so I got up. Then I heard a loud noise outside of my house. I opened the door, and I saw two people arguing. I wasn’t surprised because it’s a pretty normal thing in my neighborhood. A man was yelling at a pregnant woman and the woman seemed to be crying. It reminded me of the old days between my mom and my dad and I got angry. Then I saw the man push the female away,
Continue ReadingI Like to Comfort Them
-JJ, Albuquerque Kindness to me is being thoughtful and doing nice things. Things like throwing your neighborhood’s trash, or walking an old person’s dog. What I like to do is tell people they’re okay when they are having a bad time in their life. Like here in juvenile hall, kids come in and cry because they want to go home. I tell them they will be okay and will be home soon and not to worry. Knowing I won’t be home for twenty-plus years, I like to comfort kids who will be home in a few weeks or a couple
Continue ReadingHeart Takes Up Space
-K Beats, Santa Cruz County, CA Home…a place made up of thousands of laughters and tragic thingsA place and or someone that attracts your heart to the inevitableHome is where the love is but to me, it’s where I got broken the mostHeartaches and snakesSurrounded by fakesWhat’s it gonna take to finally rest?Heads felt cement, blacked outAlmost blew my back outThese are my words of a jitTrust me I know what it’s like to get hitFeelin’ sick to my head all the way down to my bonesJust wanna be aloneHard to put my pain into wordsEven though my heart’s broken
Continue ReadingMy Peace
-Truth N poetry, San Quentin, CA My peace is not up for grabsIt is my compass within the stormCalm in the midst of a riotHarmony the color of fresh cornTo not battle chaos,Complicated or unclear or simpleTo sit within one’s soulRemembering the body is a temple.
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Volume 30.07/08
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
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