Everything I do seems to fail,
And the shit is all to find a way out of my hell.

I sold dope to feed my hunger,
Not just ‘because’.

Ain’t no other way for niggas like me,
No matter how hard I pray or work for such things.

Yeah, I write,
But ain’t nobody paying for that.

Ain’t nobody gives a shit about the things
I write anyway.

Yet I try,
But trying don’t get me out of Hell.

Everything I ever wanted or wished for
Kept from my reach.

Love, opportunity, options,
All too far to grasp.

I’m broken inside
And tired of pretending I’m not.

My life is fucked up,
Not sure where to turn.

Don’t know what to do no more,
Been locked up my entire adult life.

Everything y’all have out there
Has been kept away from me.

Can’t get a hug and a kiss…
Let alone an opportunity.

No one really gives a fuck
About niggas like me.

We’re left in hell to suffer for things
We did when we were kids.

I’m hurting,
And I’m tired of hurting.

I’d die for an hour of freedom,
Just a moment of peace.

The love of a woman,
A hug.

To go for a walk
Not surrounded by gun towers and fences.

To sit with my family,
That’s what life is about…

I’m in a hell,
A hell that isn’t worth living for.

I know now,
Can’t no one help me out of this shit.

Some people come into this world to suffer and die…
And most, unfortunately, look just like me.

ABOUT THE WRITER: Michael Cannon is new to this site, but his feelings struck a chord. I hope we hear more from him. Mr. Cannon can be contacted at:

Michael Cannon #630831
Oaks Correctional Facility
1500 Caberfae Hwy.
Manistee, MI 49660