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One of life’s many currents

Life shows up in
A myriad of ways

Such is the ebb
And flow of life.

Basking in one’s idea
Of prosperity? The
Upper echelon? Or
The simple pleasures
Of unrestricted freedom.

Falling prey to seductive
Addictions and lies,
Revelations one comes
To denigrate and despair.

Hiding one’s truth
So damn deep, anger and
Denial are yours
To keep.

Expressed by chance
Or whispered covert
Conversations?

Long decades pass.
Memory suspect.
The older one gets
The better one was.

Each day closer to
Becoming dust.

Redemption waits,
Eager to embrace.

Regardless of
Circumstances,
Every waking
Day a gift.

A blessing
Often taken
For granted.

Either one retreats
From life, or
Expands on it.

Such is the ebb
And flow of life.

📬

These stories arrive by mail.

Every month, a physical envelope arrives at your door, postmarked from San Quentin Village, California. Inside, you will find original artwork, writing, and recipes from real contributors, along with a personal letter from me, Diane Kahn, founder of Humans of San Quentin, about the people who made them. You read it. You keep it.

Every piece comes from someone serving a sentence. Every piece reminds you they are so much more than that.

📬 Join the Mail Club

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