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Photo by Michael Fenton on Unsplash

I’m trying to love life
instead of death,
escape the shadow of my regrets.
I’m trying to love sobriety
Instead of meth,
my disease of addiction takes my breath.
I’m trying to love God
instead of the devil,
He who destroys righteous rebels.
I’m trying to love family 
instead of calamity,
my actions speak louder than catastrophe.
I’m trying to love great health
instead of wealth,
for my poetry speaks all by itself.
I’m just trying to love
instead of hate,
because lately depression is all I create. 

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.

Christopher Henriquez

Christopher Henriquez is a writer incarcerated on Death Row at San Quentin State Prison in California.