Voices from the Inside: Regis University Prison Education Program
Below are poetry submissions from students of the Regis University Prison Education Program, submitted as part of an assignment.
I am loved; I am forgiven; and I have a place by BE, student of Regis University's Prison Education Program.
Preconceived notions turned into misconceptions
How often do we see things for what they truly are?
We see what our perspective allows us to see
I failed to live a life that allowed me to be free
Some choices we make seem like the best at the time
But I’ve learned life can flip on the drop of a dime
Will how I spend my time on earth truly matters ?
Will anyone remember me?
How would I describe prison?
Would you get it if I told you how it really is?
My mistakes may have degraded me to just a number
But I won’t let them define how I live
My choices brought me to my knees
I was praying for forgiveness and to be set free
Free from my past
Free from all of my mistakes
God says to be still...
So I became silent and listened
He told me that I am loved and that I have already been forgiven
I now see life through my heart
And receive His will as my own
I know that this earth is not meant to be my forever home
People on earth may not remember my face
But I know that when I go to Heaven, God has made me a place
Untitled by JD, a student of Regis University's Prison Education Program.
A life that matters is a life well lived
A life full of love
A life with a wife and kids
A life that matters
is a life full of scars
A life full of drive
And I hope you reach for the stars
Love deep and be kind
And find what you need
Laugh hard and be kind
Even Fight and bleed
Never regret
Live full and be well
Give more than you get
And never dwell.
Keep in mind that you only have one
So live and live well
And soak up the sun.
This Is Not a Test by JLA, a student of Regis University's Prison Education Program.
This is not a test.
We are at the mercy of the weather and the chains that bind us.
We have nowhere to go and cannot ignore the shouts of direct orders from those in blue.
But still, as chained men, our minds are free to wander.
Wander with books full of knowledge, wisdom, and entertainment.
As we live in a dimension where time seems to be paused, we still somehow continue advancing
to find meaning in this meaningless life.
This is not a test.
A life of chains and uniformity might make most feel life is meaningless, but there is still hope.
Most crave to find meaning in the work we have done or will do in the future,
But it is not the work that defines us, it is we who define the work.
Some hear the callings, some have natural intuition, and a slim population have no idea.
But even as we live out our lives in this paused state, we are searching for those messy
contradictions that compose the stories of our life.
Dragging the shackles that hinder our movements, living an almost meaningless life, we still
search to become a part of the generative world that awaits us.
This is not a test.
There are voices throughout our life.
Voices that tell you where to go, voices that tell you what to do, voices with different tones,
voices that hold different meanings to us.
The intention behind that voice is not known to the world; only known to you.
Should you choose to listen is up to you.
Life - everything in it and around it is not a test.
Choose a life that matters to you.
What have I learned by JR, a student of Regis University's Prison Education Program.
Who is to judge what makes our life matter,
Trying to do something positive in life is what matters.
Living a positive life only counts for so much,
Doing positive and showing people the right thing to do in life,
Leading a good life shows others it can be done.
When the sun sets on my time I hope people see what I have done,
And say he did his best to help those around him,
And that's what matters.
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