Poetry is an allegory that tells no tales. It has no race or gender, no ego or attitude. Poetry is neither big, tall, short or small. Most of all poetry allows various incarcerated men and women to express their pain, their visions and their remorse with a meek and humble approach. Humans of San Quentin would like to share their poems with our readers. Give us your feedback and please, tell a friend. We hope you allow us to open our hearts and share our poetry with you.
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Poetry by Eliazar
Held Captive I know I've been distracted. Some of my thoughts have taken me captive. But I'm lost and I don't understand it happens. Father,…
Poetry by Sammie
No matter how much self help you take, you still have to understand the why. I'm really big on childhood trauma, and as I get…
Poetry by George “Mesro”
I wrote this because mental health is a real thing. I wrote this because mental health is a real thing. And sometimes it gets lost…
Poetry by Sinmyah
“A Human Me” Hurt and fed up… 😞 Pity… Words stuck… A mirror on the wall. Look… 👁️ I take “a pause”... Fear! Oh my!…
Poetry by Lee Roy
When I had this vision of freedom, I thought about the ocean and the water, being a place where it’s peaceful and quiet. “My Life”…
Poetry by Tony
Invacuation-19 The electric buzz smacks my consciousness, Shocking me from a languid television trance. Its ear-piercing hum bombards my senses. Invades my cell, Floods the…
Poetry by Charles
And given the right circumstances They can begin To grow together again GROWTH I have seen two people who were growing together Begin to grow…
Poetry by Kunta
The whole world movin’ forward, And the only one left is me. For a Day I was born in chains, Spent my life being directed…
Poetry by Montrice
= Because this race we call life, you know it can last a long time. Being Left behind can be a blessing. You see, that…
Poetry by Katherine
I move with the current in which I find myself. Understand Me Through My Emotions Inside Prison I’ve come to understand why I feel at…
Poetry by Jarvis
If you’re living your street dream, do what you do. But whatever you do— don’t let your street dream live you. I’ve been incarcerated since…
Poetry by Vantwan
The Devil & My Power They say the devil has no power unless you give it to him. But who is the devil, really, when…
Poetry by Kai
Each Day I’ll never be able to find the right words to say That I miss you more and more each day This pain I…
Poetry by Verne
To enter this realm requires certainty in faith and belief, anchored in His promised word. As I sit in deep, questioning contemplation, I am not…
Poetry By Cornell
Through the storm, let love’s light reign. Standing in my way, standing in my way, Looking in the mirror, this is what I say. Hard…
Poetry by Keith
The Importance of Time Mr. Carter was born in Chicago in 1967 and was confined in 2014. His letters to his family and friends were…
Poetry by Ethan
Her Hope Deprived of sleep, she lays awake In a bed, cold and still, Filled with the fear her heart will break Before her fragile…
Poetry by Jeffery
Twas the night before Christmas, and here all throughout, The state penal institution, aka, “The Big House”; General population, disgruntled, unable to move about, “This…
Poetry by Alex
This year is when I noticed my self-esteem had reached a level that allowed me to truly be sure of myself. My past struggles with…
Poetry by Damarius
Spice Am I the one-eyed man in the land of the blind, Or just a little boy lost, out of sight, out of mind? If…
