"If These Walls Could Talk: Inside Youth Speak Out" SEASON ONE > Comments > "This is Why He Writes"
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Commenter Profile
- Chris and City Youth Now
- Username: Woodside Learning Center
- Location: San Francisco, California
- Joined PRX: Dec 03, 2009
Piece Information
- ""If These Walls Could Talk: Inside Youth Speak Out" SEASON ONE"
- Summary: "IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK: Inside Youth Speak Out" is a poetry series drawn from testimonial writings by the youngest members of America's prison system. Written and recorded by the authors themselves between 2009 and 2010 inside juvenile halls in northern California, they proudly present, here, Season One.
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This is Why He Writes
Chris and City Youth Now
Posted on December 03, 2009 at 11:50 PM
The voice of Espo, the poet of “This is Why I Write” immediately grabbed our attention. His voice sounds empathetic and truthful. His choice of words and his methodical pace is clear enough to touch people, even those “who lose control”. Espo writes for all people who have been through and experienced hard times and struggles in their lives. He doesn’t write for a single group of people, but for both the rich and poor, who are going through issues and difficulties in their lives. Part of what is compelling about this poem is that Espo does not judge people based on their actions. He shows that he understands and feels the circumstances that lead people to make the choices that draw them to be involved in prostitution, gang life, and crime. These acts ultimately lead to incarceration, where he took the time to write the poem. Yet, Espo brings the reader a sense of hope that another path exists to look towards in making better decisions. He points out that whatever decision you make there will always be a fight in life, whether you are rich or poor, free or incarcerated.