Taking one step at a time

     sailing vessel toward promise

     struggling to find the joy within

     moon intertwines with the sea

Taking one step at a time

     footprints of my journey

     salt-encrusted banks of life

     shored up by sea oats

Taking one step at a time

     butterscotch moon smudged

     by my aqueous tears

     crushed fantasies transformed

Taking one step at a time

     wandering beneath diamond stars

     shining like bulbs, cracking

     misty web of fog

Taking one step at a time

     shadows spun by dawn

     deserted in the sand

     life’s troth leading way

Taking one step at a time

     embers of new beginning

     smoldering pillars of tenacity

     leaving thin air of the past

A solo journey led by the sigh of whispers. 

A house stands upon a shady hill,

jaded shade of bloody veined moon,

lightning strikes of knotted intestines,

bleached bones leading my destiny.

Deafening claps of thunder resound -

be still – your flesh and blood is his prize.

Black nightmares sold to highest bidder,

Ghastly ghostly spirits waving in mist

invade and twist my thought waves.

Residents of the dark snatch my soul,

trees wearing monster masks twitch

skeletonized arms like spider webs.

Crazy, cackling laughter at midnight hour

entices spooked neck hair to stand on end,

pleading to escape wrath of nameless souls,

splashing sanguine stains seeping from walls.

Twilight bends into night as mortality

come to life tiptoeing on broken glass

I cringe in the corner and cover my face,

ask the blackness, “Can you see me now?”

PoetsIN is more than a company, it’s a movement. One that aims to rehabilitate and aid mental wellbeing through the power of words. For the past year, we have been working in HMP Peterborough, UK, working hard to fine-tune our creative writing workshops.

The following piece is written by one of our service-users. She joined us on week one of the program and is still working with us today. We couldn’t be prouder of the progress she has made.

* * *

It's been one hell of a fantastic year!

For the past 12 months, I have been involved in a creative writing group run at HMP Peterborough. When I first started, I felt shy and uncomfortable.

I've always had a passion for writing, but I never felt I actually had any skill.

Through PoetsIN and the tasks and challenges set, I've not only found I have a talent and flair for prose, I have also found my voice.

My self-esteem has soared and now I feel like the sky's the limit.

Poetry - there was no way I was going to enjoy that.

True life - I never had the urge to tell my story.

Fiction - Didn't think I could put down my ideas on paper.

Yet a year later, I excel.

For me, learning new techniques and styles of writing has helped me to express my feelings, deal with the unknown, and beat my demons of self-harming.

Oh, I dip in and out of these negative, dark places; I wouldn't be human if I didn't. But the gaps of desperation and feelings of hopelessness are few and far between.

All of the work that is posted online on my behalf gets the most amazing feedback - of which I get a copy.

The words I read from my readers bring on more encouragement, tips, and advice than I ever thought I'd get. I expected criticism and belittling words at my perceived failures. I get the opposite of both.

I have now got a book deal, the chance of a lifetime. To write a novel and get it published is a heck of a challenge and I'm loving every second of it. The opportunities on offer to me, push and drive me towards working hard to get my parole.

Before all of this, I couldn't have cared less about a future I never thought I had

I'm now in a different prison, and through the grace of the gods, I can still write and get my work over to you.

I finally realise that I am worth more than rotting away behind bars. I have a purpose and can share with the world all that I can offer.

Every day I thank Sammie and Paul for coming into HMP Peterborough. I thank those who are dedicated to reading my words each week.

Every task I get, I put my all into it. I sit at my table, day in, day out, planning the next page, the next thought I can put on paper.

No longer does the razor blade speak for me upon my skin. The pen in hand calls me day and night.

I have been given a wonderful chance here and I have embraced it with open arms.

Bring on the tasks; let me enthral you with my mind.

No matter how cramped my hand gets from all of the writing, I will still go on. Because I am someone of worth.

@Squeakypeewee01 

* * *

We have many residents who boast of their own journeys, along with staff who speak of our successes; we’ll leave you with one that we are most proud of.

PoetsIN have added tangible value to our education department. In the year that they have been delivering the creative writing workshops I’ve seen mental wellness increase, self-harm decrease dramatically, addictions handled, self-worth improve and marked positive changes in the participants’ behaviour and skills in preparation for their release. The measurements they provide are extremely valuable. I highly recommend them.

– Wayne Peters, Director of Education, HMP Peterborough

We aim to make a difference in many different ways. Through our methods, we can increase mental wellness; giving our service users new techniques and coping strategies geared towards depression, anxiety, stress, self-harm, low self-confidence, to name a few.

Whilst delivering the above psychological benefits, we are also teaching core skills; speaking and listening, equality and diversity, communication - both spoken and written, language and grammar, presenting an argument assertively and intelligently, along with appreciation of others' views and more, which all help our service users become more employable, sociable, and able to maintain healthy relationships with those around them. The modular nature of our groups can be tailored in many different situations and scenarios.

To get involved or to make a donation to enable us to reach more vulnerable people, contact us either here via direct message, or at poetsin.com.

A long, long journey of life

Has just begun

The newborn baby

Slept soundly in her crib

Unaware of the world around her

She knew nothing

Of the difficulties and challenges

This world will bring.

In the future,

many will break her heart

Many will betray her trust

Many will insult her intellect,

She will spend many nights crying

She will spend many nights angry

And many nights laughing

But she will always be loved

Of course, she knew none of this

She just slept peacefully in her crib

Blissfully ignorant of the world

And all its troubles

Innocence in its purest form

I must now prepare her

For the long, long journey ahead

Good night, little one

You will always be loved

#longjourney

0- No layers have appeared. I'm an innocent soul.

1- First layer arrives age 7. Saw a skinny girl and have officially started dieting. Fat layer trimmed to perfection. 

2- Teased for my skin. Acne washes, toners and creams drown my pores. Still maintaining previous layer. 

3- Dark hair has appeared. Implement routine consisting of razors, shaving cream, bleach and wax. Previous layers maintained. 

4- Hair removal and insecurities irritate skin. Use of coverup necessary according to a friend. PLM.

5- Sudden stench hits body and in order to maintain svelte physique must include anti-perspirant. PLM.

6- Coverup creating more acne. Add two more layers of foundation and powder to keep up. PLM.

7- Although I have naturally long and dark eyelashes other girls use mascara and fake lashes so I must implement to keep up with the competition. Starting to fall in love...PLM. 

8- Love hurts. Raising walls in my heart. PLM.

9- Sleepless nights filled with anxiety. Eye cosmetics necessary. PLM

10- I'm not happy. Treat myself to a new scent. PLM

11- Gaining weight. Develop a hateful attitude towards food and count calories in my sleep. PLM.  

12- Go on a retreat. Want to be healthy. PLM

13- Not where I want to be in life. At least I have my layers which are meticulously maintained.

14- Social media filling emptiness. Likes are necessary for feeling good. PLM.

15- Fashion sweeps into my life. Smart clothes compensate for mental neglect. PLM

16- Hair could be better. Thank goodness for online tutorials. PLM.

17- Met a nice guy. PLM.

18- Not sure what nice guy sees in me. PLM.

19- Nice guy still around. PLM.

20- Feeling happier. Most days maintaining previous layers. 

21- In the hospital. Health not so well. Nice guy around. Previous layers can't be maintained in hospital. Emotional wreck. Searching my inner self for value.

22- In love. Getting married. Losing weight for wedding. Hating the layers that distance me from love.

23- Nice guy showed me I'm intelligent. Reading more and challenging my intellect. Enjoying this new layer. People say I look happy. 

24- Writing and researching Human Rights. Falling in love with the topic. Reading about the dignity of individuals. Maintaining layers some days. 

25- Wrote an awesome thesis on Human Rights! Smiling more these days. 

26- Learning new words of love and encouragement for myself and those around me. Now I have a wedding band to match my engagement ring!

27- Pregnant. Fatigue harming layers. Going to work without make-up, hair done or even well fitted clothes. Feeling the inner glow of another little life. 

28- Eating good food and enjoying wonderful times with Husband. Excited for our future baby.

29- Haven't cared for layers in months. The mirror doesn't reflect who I am. I'm a soul with her own sense of dignity. I love deeply and am loved greatly. 

30- I'm a new mother in love with the little soul in my arms. Layers will never again determine my worth.

i'm tired of unpacking things

hanging them on walls

setting it all up just to

take it all down and

move on.

7am: wake up

9am: go to church

11am: go to the store- buy trash bags, rags, bleach, gloves, and saw

12pm: go home

1pm: get body out of freezer and take to basement, proceed to cut into pieces, put in trash bag

5pm: clean blood from floor

6pm: drive bag to Old Jones's Creek, dump bag

8pm: return home, make dinner

9pm: iron slacks for work tomorrow

10pm: set alarm, go to sleep

I went on a dangerous journey

into my junk drawer today

I knew I was in for adventure

with all of that stuff stored away

Because this drawer has become the main catch-all

thirty years for this family of nine

After years of its use, its a jungle

still added to time after time

I attempt every once in a while

to go through it and organize

but find the task long and exhausting

with items I don't recognize

Fish hooks and paper clips, buttons and pins,

candles, eyeglasses, thumbtacks in tins,

paint brushes, drapery hooks, jewelry, barrettes,

photos of children, school buddies and pets,

exposed rolls of film (or maybe they're not),

all purpose glue, a tiny clay pot,

coupons (expired), nuts, bolts and screws,

a small zippered packet of odd Barbie shoes,

twist ties, merthiolate, an old 8-track tape,

way back in the corner, a petrified grape,

a crank for a window, replaced years ago,

band aids, old toothbrush, a splint for a toe,

stereo needle, five spools of thread,

box cutter, screwdrivers, (both phillips head),

scissors and combs, scrunchies, earplugs,

yo yo, cat collar, and two plastic bugs, *&$*#@!!!

squirt gun, nail clippers, hand cream, lip balm,

Looney tune stickers, a braided dry palm,

a blackened wheat penny, an Easter egg wire,

craft beads all over, a toy tractor tire,

marbles and Legos, pull chain for a lamp,

odds and end recipes, a twenty cent stamp,

newspaper crosswords, q-tips, kite string,

panel and roofing nails, paint sprayer spring,

Handlebar tassles, keys of all kinds,

vacuum attachment for cleaning the blinds,

Campbells soup lables, box tops for school,

old lottery tickets, test kit for the pool,

a map to Front Royal and one to D.C.,

matchbooks, old phone card, flashlight battery,

dice and Bacgammon chips, Monopoly hat,

cribbage board, three decks of cards, thermostat,

chalk, a hole puncher, magnifying glass lens,

not to mention a fistful of pencils and pens

There's plenty more items, but I've not the time

Well.........to be perfectly truthful,

I can't make them rhyme.