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Photo by Max McKinnon on Unsplash

I look up at the stars
sky lights fill empty jars
fire blazes from crashing cars
rich people inhabit mars.

I look up at the stars
from behind prison bars
with death sentence charged
buried alive no longer at large.

I look up to the stars
trying to see how far
I can envision god
where angels applaud.

I look up to see stars
from getting hit hard
head spins, circling scars
for breaking man made laws.

I look down at the stars
on hollywood boulevard
night lights appear charred
until I rest from my jog.

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