Arts

For an hour or so, an array of San Quentin prisoners, staff members and volunteers stepped out of their routine into the shoes of Shakespeare actors, to the delight of a packed prison chapel. The eighth annual performance was a unique perspective of the Shakespeare comedy “Twelfth Night,” using political satire and music of the ‘60s. The production … [Read More...]

Acrylic, watercolor, pastel, or just plain graphite provide Pat Malony various mediums to teach potential artists incarcerated in San Quentin the finer points in painting. For the past 23 years, Malony has been working for SQ Arts in Corrections. He began when he was 53 years old. He’s seen many changes in S.Q. However, his art class has survived … [Read More...]

Following is a religious essay by Sean K. Long written in the form of a letter to his mother. It has been edited for space. Dearest Mom, I’m so excited right now and the only reason I haven’t written you sooner about what’s happened to me is because I know I’ve written similar letters in the past. The only difference between then and now is … [Read More...]

I remember the belts my father wore, one for church, one for the chores. And when trouble came my way, I remember what my father would say, Son, which of these belts shall I use? This will hurt me, more than hurt you. I stood and stared at the belts on the bed, fear and hate running through my head. My mother begged and cried at the door as I stood … [Read More...]

  Climbing Poetree I wonder if the sun debates dawn some mornings not wanting to rise out of bed from under the down-feather horizon If the sky grows tired of being everywhere at once adapting to the mood swings of the weather If the clouds drift off trying to hold themselves together make deals with gravity to loiter a little longer I wonder if … [Read More...]

  What am I but a lost & lonely man, attempting to make it the best way I can. Who am I but someone who wants to be normal & sane, a person who’s struggling desperately to stop all the hurt and pain! Who am I but someone who unfortunately ended up in prison, Just another statistic who messed up a life that was God given! Who am I to … [Read More...]

The eagle is a bird that Native people feel is connected to the Great Spirit. Because the eagle flies the highest of all birds, close to where the Great Spirit dwells, he is regarded as a special messenger to, and from, the Creator. And as such is very sacred to Native people. Eagle feathers are considered the most sacred of prayer tools, and have … [Read More...]

A group of teen-agers called “Shining Light” sang and danced their way into the hearts of hundreds of San Quentin inmates in June. The group from Lebanon, Pennsylvania, at first appeared somewhat apprehensive about performing in front of a large group of convicts. But once the show began, with the music thumping and the youngsters gracefully … [Read More...]

Will these walls that now surround me Be my future, then my end These cold steel bars before me Are my truth, I can’t pretend Are my memories of freedom Just a taste, forbidden fruit Are my visions for the future Out of reach, perhaps quite moot Will this gate that does not open Keep my spirits trapped within Do you keep me here in prison As my … [Read More...]

You are being placed above the rest You have the right to smile, to wink at me, to blow me kisses, and to remain silent; any words you whisper, can and will be used against you in a court of love. You have the right to be represented in said court by a man who loves you. If there is no such man in your life right now, however, I will appoint myself … [Read More...]

Awesome and Wonderfull Voices lifting us up Inspiring in your delivery Of the Spirit of God Innocence of the soul On your faces shining With a joyful exuberance Singing/Acting/Dancing Here present with us all Inside the San Quentin Is the mighty presence Of the Lord … [Read More...]

Where trees grow inward Hiding their fruit from squirrels & crows Where afro’s symboled men of old Panthers & kings sported crowns & rings Worn by black queens Goddesses not bitches Our men hero’s not snitches Of modern times Or nigga’s that rhyme Without reason or story line I’ve been there… Where rain dropped hails of blood Through … [Read More...]

We had an angel in our dugout for a season, No doubt, the good Lord had a reason, But to all the men in San Quentin This God given and lovely vision Was always a major distraction, Do we watch the game or gape at Allison? Men from all over San Quentin, C.O.’s, counselors, and maintenance, Visiting players and even the umpires, Always she caught … [Read More...]

This is a world of different kinds of life, A change in reality, a world real tight. You enter this world through cast iron gates. You can sense all the pressure and feel all the hate. They’re unloading the bus the man’s laying down the rules, They’re taking away your rights and giving you your blues. The next gate is opening, you feel tense down … [Read More...]

BETTER TO LIGHT CANDLES By Merle Shain It is better to light a candle Than to curse the darkness. It is better to plant seeds Than to accuse the earth The world needs all of our power And love and energy, And each of us has something that we can give The trick is to find it and use it. To find it give it away So there will always be more. We can be … [Read More...]

Stifled cries of yesterdays pain Are haunting memories of a runaway train The moans and groans of a troubled past Are like a ship that’s been torn rattled and thrashed The only resemblance of what once was Are scattered pieces of a broken mast The chains and shackles of the captives past The flower fades and the grass is gone The hills are barren … [Read More...]

I write for my children In words only hearts can fathom. I write for my children Pen-drenched in love storms And magical poems; Each alphabet a teardrop, Every page a river I write for my children; No longer can I see their glow— A soft and tender sadness Illuminates their souls. I write for my children To invoke their spirits, Faint breaths upon … [Read More...]

While a man was polishing his new car, his 4-year-old son picked up a stone and scratched lines on the side of the car. In anger, the man took the child’s hand and hit it many times; not realizing he was using a wrench. At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures. When the child saw his father, with painful eyes he … [Read More...]