Thanks to Writers for Recovery by Tyler Racine

I found myself in a building full of locked doors and barred windows, each passing moment feeling less and less human. It was as if time was slowly turning me toward a more animalistic side of basic instinct, with waves of aggression and abnormality carrying me further from myself. I longed to be on the other side of that fence, where freedom resides and greener grasses flourish.

It is true that in order to see the light, one must wade through the darkness. I found my light in the form of the written word, allowing myself to express emotion through ink and paper. Ms. Adinolfi offered an escape; she brought the tools that would free my mind from this cage and bring salvation to my soul.

This freedom came through "Writers For Recovery," a program where Ms. Adinolfi would visit Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility once a week to share writing prompts. Each time, I would write a poem, which ultimately helped me release my emotions in a healthy, self-healing way. These entries do more than just heal; they reveal the damages I have lived through and the internal struggles I have overcome.

I thank "Writers For Recovery" and, most importantly, Ms. Adinolfi, for providing a safe and peaceful environment to confront my inner demons. I hope that this anthology reaches you when you need it most, and that the passages within find a place in your heart. We are all healing... let this book show you how we heal better, together.