Being in prison for all this time stripped me of the years I could have spent with my daughter. While entrapped between four walls, drowning in the echoes of a distant fight, screaming, or clanking on metal bars, I slipped into an oasis of my own—one where I am with her, holding her hand, embracing her tightly, and listening to her laugh. In this oasis, I wrote a series of poems to my daughter.  A part of me hopes that they played some role in helping her grow into the beautiful young lady she is today. May God protect her and look after her now, just as He did when I was inside. Amen.

When I am Gone…

When I am gone, these words shall stay
for you to read at night or day.
In them, you’ll find me urge you on
declaring, “Darkness must end by dawn.”
I missed the day you learned to walk
and your first words as you tried to talk.
When you were sick, I was not there
to hold you tight and give you care.
Seeing your friends in their dads’ embrace
is a sin of mine I can’t erase.
I was not there to wipe your tears,
a regret I’ve held for all these years.
Leaving you was my greatest crime
I wish I could turn the hands of time.
But now I’m here between each line,
sending my love with every rhyme.
These gems are a gift from me to you
always have hope, and always be true.

From this poem, a series of poems titled “The Gem Series” was born. These poems hold my entire heart, ripped straight from my chest and littered on these pages. 

GEM #1: Chrysocolla
(Wisdom, Communication, and Gentle Power)

Beloved Princess,

I hope that you will take these gems and place them on your crown.  For if you wish to be queen one day, you must prepare from now.

I’m still young,
yet old enough,
for I see signs of grey.
We one day came and soon we’ll go,
nothing remains the same.
At your age, not long ago, I thought I knew it all,
but now I know with certainty,
that I know nothing at all.

GEM #2: Aquamarine (Calm, Centered, and Relaxed)

How often have you seen a man,
whose beauty brings delight,
yet whose ugly character,
makes you run with fright.

How often have you seen a girl,
whose looks are not so fine,
yet each word that leaves her lips,
makes the whole world shine.

GEM #3: Rose Quarts (Unconditional Love)

My Beloved Princess,

Know that I will always love you no matter what. You are perfect to me, and I accept you just as you are. There is nothing you need to do to gain my love; you already have it unconditionally.

You can fail in school a thousand times,
You can break my rules again and again,
You can crush my heart and bring me to tears,
But nothing you do will diminish my love.
With your tiny hands, you captured my heart,
And there it remained since the very start.