Poetry

By Raphael Calix As an angelic force in the world With everlasting traces of love The encouragement over bigotry and hatred We hear you loud and clear, Dear “Maya” Marching proudly through the old neighborhoods With filaments into our hearts Overcoming the blight of racism We found safety in her bosom Mute-yet alertly listening to “Maya’s” musing We continue to absorb all of the love Driving away the bugaboo’s taunting glare Here her sing, write and teach at Wakeforest Living with passion and flair And attentive to a quietitude … [Read more...] about Rising

Convict, A Way Of Life By C.L. McClelland Outside there is peace, but that doesn’t concern me, for I’m confined within these walls, walls of misery. I slipped on the outs and this is where I fell. Into this whistle blowing, bell ringing, man-made, barred earthy hell. Each morning I wake and I curse the light. Indicative of the beginning, another daily fight. A fight to remain sane in an insane game. Where they strip you of your dignity, give you a number and steal your name. Stepping out onto the tier you look both ways. Never can tell … [Read more...] about POETRY CORNER

UPS & DOWNS By Henry Cartwright “UPS & DOWNS”...smiles and frowns Are ways to everyday life, No one said it would be easy, but we must continue to strive So I wake up each day that is not “promised” To me, with a “smile” upon my face Cause I know I am only “alive” thru God’s Merciful grace Therefore...I “pray” daily and know that my lord & savior is in control, And I ask in him thru my “ups & downs”... To give me the strength and keep me whole … [Read more...] about POETRY

Unchain By Keung Vanh Innocents at play, until life at stake death came knocking, and almost collected only to be saved, by a black silhouette given a new life, by the two face gavel a new life, too unworthy for a life taken, and a life given a token is certain, but not concrete for no blood on my hands, but my shoulders cakes of crimson paint years I intend to give, years I’m willing to offer for wrinkles shall be pure, for death shall be pleasant … [Read more...] about POETRY

DIASPORA By R. Calix In the Gulag by the Bay Where a remnant still survives Our colored souls in distress Where unfreedom songs arise Where blues croon red And cold is hot I sit and set Not wanting nor waiting But churning away Inside this exile. Back in a 6x9 Cell By NIGEL HENRY I’m back ya’ll, locked up in jail, sitting in a 6x9 cell. Watching the mailman walk by, these two c/o’s with their messed up smile. Listening to this BS all day and night, waiting for the shut down to call it a night. To wake up to the same mess … [Read more...] about POETRY

By Fe P. Koons My tears will not bring back the hour of holding your tiny fingers in my palm or kissing your cheeks in the solitude of the night The dying moments of a mother behind bars are but pain that endlessly kill the joy of longing to touch your face my child I ask for forgiveness that I cannot be there When you chuckle at the sight of a bubble bursting or running after the seagulls along the shore when you make sandcastles washed away in my dreams to see you. Do you ever call my name when you cannot have a lollipop? Your … [Read more...] about From A Window In San Quentin

By EDDIE GRIFFIN Journalism Guild Writer They invite your impropriety They’re so glad that you could come They ignore your many addictions And they knew that you’d succumb Tragic hero of rural crisis On your back many towns have grown Do you know your intrinsic value Can’t you see the seeds they’ve sown Seeds fertilized in ignorance And strewn throughout the state Watered with demagoguery Now they consummate your fate Can you see now what you’ve lost Can you glean the distraction Without knowledge of self There is no basis for … [Read more...] about POETRY

By TULLEDO NILES Contributing writer Today he was here forever Testing secrets in God Here in eternity Here in Eden Have you ever tested? Have you ever tested I’m vast Going fast to you When I get to you You’ll have gotten hit in the face by her Born 7 times Had to help From having to keep From liking it If you will If you will Trying on mommy’s Trying daddy I’m trying you on to having fevers and having tears … [Read more...] about POETRY

By CHUCK RITCHEY The lonely prisoner sits in his cell, dieing slowly in his special kind of hell. All those he knew have now forgot. Society has left him alone to rot. The lonely prisoner, this lonely man Takes each day as best he can. He sees no sun, no moon, or no stars, Only three green walls and a set of bars. The lonely prisoner has lost his dreams. All hope is gone….or so it seems. All his energy is long since spent He can find no love, No peace, or no encouragement, But the lonely prisoner Still prays each night, for … [Read more...] about Poetry

ABSENCE OF THE ARCHBISHOP By GEOFFREY G. O’BRIEN You meet at most four archbishops in a lifetime. You have at most one lifetime. You sing when in pain and expect to be heard. You see the outline of holy figures, their windows and blinds. You want to kiss the gold of the coat and you want it to come off on your lips. You think of singing gold songs and are not for a moment in pain. You see the sun not as it is but as it will be without you, cold gold with all the windows closed. You expect to be heard singing in your house. I … [Read more...] about POETRY