What a beautiful drawing!That's some real talent. Isn't it amazing to be in touch with our feelings? Even though it can hurt and that pain, that physical sensation, that could never be dissected and never seen, but that's still fully physical and can radiate and shake your body, that can bring you to the lowest , slowest, most arduous climb you've been on, it can also elevate you to heights you've never seen before, that will take your breath away. I am a 25yo female, I have a decent job, I'm educated, I live in a safe neighbourhood and while I've never spent one day locked away in cell or had the shadows of those bars paint the walls of my room, I do now what it is to make major mistakes and I do know what it is to see your life transform into a tornado that with every passing second of its being causes more destruction and havoc and picks up more and more damaged bits and pieces. I feel like I could've done so much more with my life. I know I had the ability to do more. I think my problem was self doubt and just being born sensitive. Where even though I seemed stoic, people's words hit me more so like a hard kick in the stomach instead of a superficial cut of the skin. My bleeding was internal. No one could see that there was something wrong with me so no one could run to my aid with a band-aid to clean up my wound. I seemed better where I was actually worse - my wounds were more complicated. I just think if I had one more plus added to my equation something else could've became of me. I also think if i had just one more minus added to that equation how much worse could I have been? That's why I'm here and that's why I'm writing this paragraph on a warm and beautiful Sunday, one of summer's last. Because I want to be that + in someones equation. I wanted to let you know that that drawing is beautiful. That those words are touching. That you have talent and that I believe in you and that you matter. In all of you. I know that most of the prison population are not inherently bad people. They're just people that needed another plus in their equation. With one more minus or one stroke of bad luck, maybe I could've been in there with you. My life was no doubt a struggle, but I'm starting to believe in myself and even though neither you and I can change the way our past choices have lead up to where we are in this very second, we can still change our future. We can transform our mind into a beautiful, fertile valley of hills and grass and the smell of wildflowers, where things can grow and they can flourish. We can make the best of the situation we're in. I believe in you Lowlife! I hope you have a wonderful day. - Sincerely another human being. DG.

❤

Hello, my name is Gillian, and I am researching to publish an essay about the systematic racism in the prison system. I’ve worked with non-profits to uncover specific issues in the prison system that we can work to alleviate. I wanted to reach out and ask if you would be interested in answering some questions about what you’ve experienced.

What is your race/ethnicity?
What age were you when you first enter the prison system?
If you don’t mind me asking, what was the first crime you committed to put you behind bars?
Were you given a cash bond?
How many times were you in and released from jail?
What prison are you in now? I.e. max security, death row, etc.
Are you treated differently in the facility than those of other race/ethnicities?
How are your friends treated?
Do you know anyone of a different race who has committed the same crime as you, but has a different sentence?

Thank you for your time. I really hope that this publication can shed some light on the systematic racism in the justice system. I want to use my career to helping those who feel left behind by the government, and your answers could be the first step in helping someone else.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Gillian

[Hand drawing of a beautiful red headed lady. She is looking up with hopeful eyes as her hair whips around a rose, a chrysanthemum, and a skull with eyes.]

Let U N 2 My Heart

Refused to be trapped in love's prison
made so many mistakes and poor decisions
that have led me to heartbreak
my inner wounds are concealed to you
numb to the pain of the games that women play

Still I manage to be afraid
my behavior makes me seem like a plague
avoid commitment cuz I'm scared
to hurt you so beware
it's complicated
and it's normal to get frustrated

I've been searching for a cure
someone divine and pure
to open up my eyes
Keep me real warm by her touch
and let me know She's real
dreams that manifest in the flesh
here the mood is st
habitual sinner between the sheets

Yet the overall winner is you
cuz I can't be defeated
you're always running through my mind
like marathon love
just to think that all of this
started with a crush
I'm captivated

How such patience built this foundation
and now the sky is the limit
So now we dream chasing
don't be surprised if you see me
pulling up to scoop you up with an
expression on my face like I'm in love
never admit it
I'd be a fool since I barely met you
and since I'm thuggin' I got pride

So don't get confused
but still I hold a special place
for you
next to my heart
now it's your mission to get in there
which is
very hard and hard to let you
into my heart

By LOWLIFE