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Art by Kenneth Key

When I first sat down
to do this painting
I wanted to do it
from the eye of a little girl
looking out her window. 

Just imagine 
all the things our children will see;
some with understanding
and some without.

The countless memorials
for the young dead children
killed in the crossfire
and witnessed by a heartless community
who stands silent
until it’s their own

Disclaimer: The views in this article are those of the author. Prison Journalism Project has verified the writer’s identity and basic facts such as the names of institutions mentioned.

Kenneth M. Key

Kenneth M. Key is a writer and artist incarcerated in Illinois. He was born and raised in South Shore, on Chicago’s Southwest Side. He says he loved to draw as a kid, and he hopes to generate change as an artist, writer and occasional poet while he is incarcerated.