“I will continue to be a good man, just in case she’s watching.”

In remembrance of a love that can’t be dismissed
I write a letter made of words never spoken,
Sharing my love,
The unbearable loneliness without her.
I nervously await a response,
Desperate for her to know what I am feeling.
Does it matter, the love still in my heart,
The honesty in my words,
The sorrow in my soul?
Will my message reach her heart,
Maybe remind her of moments and love shared,
A long history of passion for one another?
Could the words spark hope,
Possibly bring warmth and happiness,
Perhaps even a smile thought lost forever?
Can there be forgiveness in her heart?
I sit in the seclusion of my own personal purgatory,
The memories of our love burning in my heart now and forever,
Awaiting a letter filled with love, forgiveness and hope.
This is my real prison sentence.

ABOUT THE WRITER. Kenneth writes with the hope that his words will touch someone, somewhere, and possibly change the direction of their lives. That is the hope of many WITS writers, and together we are accomplishing that. He doesn’t call himself a writer, but I disagree. He speaks from his heart, which is the most important factor.

Kenneth can be contacted at:
Kenneth Edwards #383909
MacDougall Correctional Institution
1516 Old Gilliard Road
Ridgeville, SC 29472

My journey to become worthy is intertwined with penance,
And with my penance understood, questions yet haunt me.
Can a life wasted with decadence
And egotism find absolution?
Or is this simply an illusion I need to embrace
For the strength to endure?
Loved ones trivialized and marginalized
Along my destructive path,
A family left with hearts forever scarred by pain.
My heart longs for love and forgiveness.
Tragedy resurrected me a better man,
But at a monumental cost to so many,
Those that tried to love me.
My journey is to become worthy of that love,
Of such a price paid,
And my journey is infinite.

I’ve met survivors in here, a small measure of people, resolute in their journey to a better life, a better way of living and to just be better people; a group not only on a quest to atone for their actions but to repair relationships broken during their time as broken men.  They work hard to help others do the same.  These survivors have become a light in this dark place, hope of a better way for some that may never have another chance to change.  So, even in this place, there is a way to live.  I choose to be better and surround myself with like-minded people, people who have changed their path and their very lives.  You can do the same – seek out these people, these survivors.  They will help you find your path to a better life.  I am one of them now, and I know now that there is a life beyond prison.

ABOUT THE WRITER. Kenneth is new to WITS. This submission as well as his role as a mentor and peer support specialist are a reflection of his commitment to helping others find their own journey to forgiveness and peace through recovery and self-awareness. That is exactly what I see in his writing – self-reflection, a search for light, and finding a measure of it in reaching out to others in their pain.

Kenneth can be contacted at:
Kenneth Edwards #383909
MacDougall Correctional Institution
1516 Old Gilliard Road
Ridgeville, SC 29472