Greetings friends of The Beat Within. Welcome to another one-of-a-kind double issue of The Beat Within. We are honored and thrilled to connect with you all through these special 72 pages of writing and art. There is no other publication like this. Our magazine truly touches and inspires many lives to write, read, reflect, discover, and hopefully make the necessary changes to lead a healthy and safe life. We are excited to receive the beautiful black etched glass award/plaque our founder, David Inocencio, received on behalf of The Beat Within! He was recognized for last month in New York at
Continue ReadingMirror, Mirror
by Genaro, San Mateo When I look into the mirror, I see myself and I see I need to make changes. I saw a new man with different ambition and expectations that needs to be met. My first day here at Hillcrest I wasn’t happy with what I was seeing, but as days went on and Bible study went on, I saw a change needed to be made. A reason change needs to be made is my age. I’m too old to be getting in trouble, also the effect I made on my parents like the sadness I caused them.
Continue ReadingReal One
by Kezo, James Ranch, Santa Clara I was raised to show sympathyBut I show the oppositeMy life was a cringeBut no one showed empathyThey laughed at meAnd said be tougherWhat I did was never rightSo I started making people slumberI mean fightI can’t lie, I can’t stand peopleSo I brought a chair and satOn the rear windowDamn I hate my reflectionIt scares me bro‘Cause how’s a kid who’s been to hellstill smile through that mirror?My heart had been shatteredLike broken glassI’m not flatteredIf someone close to me turns into a ratI’ll reorganize anyone’s matterIf he plays with my heartBecause for
Continue ReadingThe Mentor I Need
by V, Sacramento I’d like to meet the world’s richest man on the Earth, not just the USA. Why would I like to meet them? Because they have lots of discipline to be able to save their money or know where to invest it into. I know that they also can take me in almost as a young protégé or an assistant. And not just give me a handout, but also show me how he became not one of the world’s richest man, but the world’s richest man. And then eventually I can come up with my own money, ideas,
Continue ReadingWhy I Write
by Leo Cardez, Dixon Correctional Facility in Dixon, Illinois There is nothing exactly like living in Hell, but there is something close to it: Jail and Prison. In my Hell, where I lived for most of 2015, there is, as Dante understood, no hope. People think the worst part of being locked up is the loss of freedom. They are wrong. The worst part is the loss of hope and purpose. You wake up every morning realizing your nightmare will continue into your waking hours. The loss you have suffered is permanent. Life will never be the same. In many
Continue ReadingA Collaborative Conversation, Part 1
by Armando R. Gonzalez and Floyd D. Collins, San Quentin State Prison, CA Ok Mr. Collins, the topic is “Building more trust.” Man, where do I begin? I guess first off for me, when I hear “Trust” I really hear vulnerability. When I think about trusting, I feel a mix of feelings, hurt, anxiety, excitement, longing, anger and hope. In my past I believed trust was a sucker’s bet. Today, I see that trust is not a feeling. It’s a choice. A decision that sometimes is made intuitively but often needs to be re-evaluated and remade. This might include communicating
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Volume 27.11/12
Please contact Lisa Lavaysse if you would like to purchase the full PDF or a printed copy of this issue.
Continue ReadingEd Note 27.11/12
Welcome friends to another fabulous issue of The Beat Within. We certainly hope you will enjoy all the wonderful submissions in this latest issue, there is so much good work being produced by our young workshop participants, as well as by our friends who take it upon themselves to reach out from around the state, inside and outside of the system. Overall, the work has been quite busy as we embrace 2022, but incredibly rewarding, as we continue to learn so much from you writers and artists who share your truths, your story, as you tackle our writing prompts. We
Continue ReadingSpider-Man and Batman
by YPC I would rather have Spider-Man because he’s not as ruthless as Batman. I would rather have Batman on the outside and Spider-Man on the inside. I know Batman has the most money, but that doesn’t really define people. If I had the personality of Spider-Man, I would be more welcoming to others unlike Batman. If I had to choose which Spider-Man I could be it would probably be Miles Morales because we have a lot in common. If I had to choose the Batman suit it would be the all black one, and not the gray, black, and
Continue ReadingHere Goes Nothing
by AG, Sacramento Heartless, I can be, why?Let’s see, but I ask you not to judge meSo, here goes nothingI may be all over the place with thisSo just bear with meSo my life is a messed up messAnd yeah, it’s sad, but I say that with my chestMy heart is broken, yes, I write and speak about the same stuffSo if you wonder why, take a good guessI’ve been through it all, foster homes…While I’m in trouble, yet watching the blood kids have a ballI’m kind of like Humpty Dumpty, and had a great fallI never got back up,
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