Artwork

Artwork

WRITING EXCHANGE 2006 to 2024

This blog was created to recognize some of the powerful writing being produced by incarcerated youth. Currently, writing is being shared between Sacramento, Shasta, and Butte County Juvenile Halls.

2024-2025 Exchanges: Sept 25, Oct 30, Nov 27, Dec 18, Jan 29, Feb 26, March 26, April 30, May 28

My Real Name Poems

 
Entry #1909
Soaring 
My real name is trying hard to change the life I’ve lived
Yesterday my name was epic failure, nothing but repeated mistakes 
When I'm incarcerated my name is just another number in the system 
During visiting my name is son, they just want to see me do better
When I'm going through it my name is silent moon in the sky
When my door pops my name is loyal, trying to succeed
When I am released my name will be free eagle soaring through the sky
Tomorrow my name will be hurdling over life’s obstacles
When I get home, my name will be daddy.

Entry #1910
Indulging in Peace
When I am incarcerated, my name is scars, pain from my past moving me far
During visiting, my name is alone, violence can keep disturbed family at home
When I am released my name will be deep in the streets, indulged in heat
To my novia, my name is secure, life becomes pure
To bystanders, my name is death, they speak protest on their breath
When I need a rush, my name is Modella and white lines, at the time it seemed alright 
My friends know me as magnet, trouble seems to follow
When I breath my last words, my name will be peace



Entry #1911
Broken Hearts
I am from the slums, where they show no love. 
I am from some cold streets, where there is nobody to put your trust in.
I am from a town, where everybody’s goal is to boost up the murder rate. 
I am from the east side of town, where gangs are out of control.
I am from where we politic, but not in a lawful manner.
I am from where loyalty is hard to find, so if you find some cherish it thoroughly. 
I am from where nobody is safe, so we keep protection.
I am from hopeless days, but we still prayed for better ones. 
I am from a messed-up environment, where you see bums on every block fiending.
I am from where we all have high goals, but not everybody accomplishes them.
I am from where today your friend can be your “dawg”, and tomorrow hell just be a snake.
I am from a broken place, where we all have broken hearts. 
I am from where hearts are turned black, due to false promises. 
I am from where we smile every day, but deep inside we are breaking down. 
I am from where mostly every family has someone locked up, and they won’t be home soon.
I am from where we hate the law, because they are locking down our loved ones. 
I am from where loved ones are resting in graves, and all we want to say is a proper goodbye. 
I am from where broken hearts try to heal other broken hearts, but just end up more broken. 
I am from an incarcerated childhood, but we still lived it to the fullest.
I am from where the water is neck deep, so we keep our head up from drowning. 
I am from where we are trying to be a dad, even though we never had one.
I am from where we just want to give up, but we keep going because we got priorities. 
I am from where our loved ones mean the world, so for them we will put it all on the line.
I am from an ugly place, but somehow, we still find it beautiful.

Entry #1912
Inside Brick Walls
In my cell, my name is regretting yesterday 
Today my name is gaining knowledge inside brick walls 
While incarcerated, I become careful what you say, they are listening 
When my door pops, I become my brain opening up shop 
When I am released, I am relieved and never coming back, again 
At home I am known as struggling to find happiness 
I will become stronger than my past self



Entry #1913
Free Again
When I am released my name will be Free.
Yesterday my name was Real.
Today my name is Calm, Calm because soon my name will be free again.
During my visits my name is Ashamed, Ashamed I have to talk to my loved ones on the other side of this wall.
My mother thinks my name is Innocent but we all know that’s a lie.
On Saturdays my name is Soaring.
On Mondays my name is Anxious, Anxious because I want this to be over with already.
Right now, my name is Finished, finished because I don’t want to think about this anymore.

Entry #1914
Rolling Through 
When I am a father, my name will be stroller, rolling through the park
On New Year's Eve, my name was nightmare, needing staff assistance
Today during volleyball, my name became sharp attack on a spike
On my release date, I will be power of overcoming mistakes
My name in the hall is cowered for trying the right thing
Every day when my cell door pops, my name is listening to instructions I am required to follow
To my family, I am lost, failing our last name
In the future, I will be known as role model, setting an example for my kids

Entry #1915
Too Many Times to Count
If you really knew me, would know that I like riding my bike and playing my Xbox with my friends online. 
You would know that I have been locked up too many times to count. 
You would know that I have been on probation for a while and I’m trying to get off probation when I get out. 
If you really knew me, you would know that I used to like getting high and drunk off my ass to where I blackout. 
If you really knew me, you would know that I am known in the streets



Entry #1916
I Will Be Home
My name is astonishing.
Yesterday my name was impressive.
When I am racing people know me as 200 mph.
When I am incarcerated my name is Bird.
When I am a father, my name will be papa.
When I am released, I will be home.
When my door pops my name is son.
During visiting my name is mijo.
Today my name will be Buffalo. 
On Saturday my name will be Tom and Jerry.
On Monday my name will be 6:00 am.
My girlfriend think’s my name is gorilla crow.

Entry #1917
Letting the Dark Side Be
My real name is heard wandering around with a different perception of the world
When I am released my name will be impressing the best and showing up
When I am a father, my name will be water to the tree, supporter to the life of my beautiful dream
When I am incarcerated my name is the one they don't want free, hidden from society
Today my name is pursing to be the best side of me and letting the dark side be



Entry #1918
Forbidden
My real name is violence. 
Yesterday my name was disturbed.  
When I am incarcerated, my name is fire. 
When I am biking people know me as impressive.
When I am a father, my name will be real.
When I am released my name is forbidden.
When my door pops my name becomes together.
During visiting, my name is cherishing.
Today my name is process.
On Saturdays my name is exhausted. 
On Monday morning my name becomes accepted.
My brother thinks my name is required.
My name on the streets is banned.
My new name is crazy. 
The next day my name will become persuading.

Entry #1919
Stuck
Today my name is extremely bored, white brick walls and nothing to do
While incarcerated, my name is sad, pissed off at what I did
When my door pops, my name becomes free from that little box I’m stuck in
When I am released, I will be happy departing from a little dirty room
Yesterday my name was stressed because court has me not knowing what’s coming next



Entry #1920
Pulling Through
Today my name is waiting for a court date
When my door pops, my name becomes getting out of this 8X8 cell
Currently my name is tired of being away from my family and friends
When I’m incarcerated, my name is I hope he’ll pull through

Entry #1921
Monday Morning
My real name is violence 
Yesterday my name was together 
When I am incarcerated my name is assault 
When I am doing a hobby, people know me as navigating
When I am a father, my name will be secure 
When I am released, my name is identified 
When my door pops, my name becomes cherishing 
During visiting my name is required 
Today my name is comparing 
On Saturdays my name is accepted 
On Monday morning my name becomes exhausted 
My girlfriend thinks my name is impressive and depressive



Entry #1922
Arriving
My real name is fire.
Yesterday my name was hitting.
When I am incarcerated, my name is assault. 
When I am doing a hobby, people know me as shameless. 
When I am a father, my name will be together. 
When I am released my name will be protest.
When my door pops my name becomes violence. 
During visiting my name is terrible. 
Today my name is impressive.
On Saturdays my name is vomiting.
On Monday morning my name becomes arrival.
My girlfriend, mother, brother, boss, think my name is real.