As promised here are a few more poems from the fabulous chapbook “Until I Am Free” edited by Kevin Coval. If you are moved by this work, please consider learning more about the issue of Juvenile Life Without Parole by visiting the website of the Illinois Coalition for the Fair Sentencing of Children.

A Child Taken Away
Terrill Williams

My foundation is shaken. My whole world taken.
Friends gone. Family members no longer here.
Home is so far, so near. Being locked up is bad
but being locked up for something you didn’t do
is hell. Going through your story over and over
but nobody sees. Look for help, but all it seems
to be, a lot of faces. Faces and faces and faces. You pray
just one can get you out. You go from having no care
in the world to fighting for your life, freedom and sanity.
From an innocent boy to an innocent man
I am!

Terrill Williams was 16 years old when he committed the homicide for which he received life without parole. He is now 29 years old.

If Only
Jermaine Jameson

If only I had listened when I was being told
to get my education so loud, clear and bold.
If only I had done what I was told to do
I wouldn’t be arriving in prison on my 1th as J.L.W.O.P. on the new.
If only life had taught me what I have failed to learn in the streets
maybe I wouldn’t be here to nobody’s concern.
I’d still have a couple friends and family by my side.
But after 12 years in prison, people move on.
If only I had tried to make something of myself,
By now I could be enjoying the riches of my wealth.
If only I had restrained from attempts to be grown
and remained a child maybe I could have become
something that would have made my mother proud.
If only I would teach in this tearful message I send
the harder you work in life in the beginning
it makes life so much better in the end.

Jermaine Jameson grew up on the North side of Chicago near Rogers Park. He was 16 years old at the time of the offense for which he received life without parole. Today Jermaine is 29. In prison, he has worked various jobs, and otherwise spends his time playing basketball, reading and studying relevant law to his case.

I thought I knew it All
Jaime C. Hauad

It started in 1989
only nine
The youngest street punk I became
living my life as if it was a game
without the comprehension level to realize it was lame.
All I did was put my mother through shame.
The life of crime never stopped.
My mother tears constantly dropped.
I sold ready rock in hopes to rise to the top.
Learning quickly that with more money came more problems
now I got officer Cesar trying to solve them.
He was tall, built, and mean
always telling me that couldn’t wait until I turn seventeen

At seventeen, my daughter’s conceived
I wanted nothing more than to be free
but I guess officer Cesar had a promise to keep.
And a wish to fulfill, so I find myself in the back seat
of his 4 door Chevy headed toward grand and central.
I didn’t kill anyone. Nor did I partake in this crime
72 hours of torture was the only thing on my mind.
Now I am on my way to county with 1st degree
murder charges surrounding me.
Sick to my stomach. Baby mama pregnant
With one of the best attorneys in the city
and no physical evidence linking me to these crimes
I just knew I’d be home in no time.

I thought I knew it all.

Twelve long years have passed.
It is the year 2009.
I am still fighting.

Jaime Hauad was 17 years old when two people were shot and killed outside a bar on the West side of Chicago. Jaime received a life without parole sentence for the murders and has maintained, and fought to prove, his innocence since. Today, he is 30 years old. Jaime has taken advantage of every program possible in prison.