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By Francisco D.

It really has been hard living in chains.
I called your name when I needed you the most.

Don’t ever say you felt my pain.
Cause in the beginning you left and went ghost. (*you left me, avoided me)

In this cell, my heart is getting colder.
Mama always said keep my head high.

Don’t worry about me that’s what I told her,
Ten toes down you know I ain’t going to lie. (*solid on ground; truthful)

Rest in peace my friend and brother,
Still remember the last thing you told me.

They know we had faith in each other, (*my friend was murdered, because of what we 
But six feet under was never meant to be. were involved in.)

Promises were meant to be broken,
But cherish loyalty like it’s a token.

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.

This writer is a student at Southwest Oklahoma Youth Academy Charter School, who participated in a collaboration with students in English classes at Oklahoma Christian University. The work was first published in “Unaware,” an anthology developed as part of the program.