Jacob, 62
Incarcerated: 32 years
Housed: California Health Care Facility, Stockton
DON’T BECOME WHAT YOU DESPISE
Most people say, they don’t like this, or that, and some also
Promise that they never do this, or do that, While others avoid
All of that, so don’t become what you despise, and take life
On one step at a time.
Before you end up like a ho-bo living on the streets
Without a dime, trying to survive, and stay alive, so don’t
Become what you despise, cause all the peoples who fail
Will tell you that they tries
So don’t become what you despise, like some people who
Steal, cheat, and lie, some even commit homicide, from
Their evil, and pride, while others drink, gamble, and get high, so
Once again, don’t become what you despise
Either you pass it up, or you take the ride, but don’t
Lock them up inside, cuz they will eat you alive, least
You tried, last, and final thought, don’t become what you
Now despise, keep your head up, and the dream will come alive
PIECES OF A DREAM
Reality ain’t nothing but a dream, either you get
Your hands dirty, or you keep them clean, but it all
Comes back to pieces of a dream, now half of the things we
Learn, now become a faded silver screen of the dream
Like all of the courses we study, math, history, and science
And some of us find it harder to define, just what is going
Through our minds, while it keeps coming back to pieces of
A dream, looking at the scene
Now the whole world will join in on, pieces of her dream
And now the silver screens are now visible, and seen
All from pieces of a dream, so keep your hands neat clean
Of pieces of a dream, pieces of a dream