Book excerpt: Two inmates serving life sentences at Folsom State Prison write the poems in this book. They simply utilized the power of writing to deal with emotional turmoil in their lives, to share their stories, experiences, and to grow together as a whole. These poems are composed through prison experiences as well as the struggles they are facing. Sharing the experiences not only heals them, but also helps them grow in many aspects of life: emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. These poems are not meant to offend anyone in anyway. They are written for one purpose - to share with the world the experiences of two life-term inmates who have experienced darkness and despair in their lives. Their growth over the decades has allowed them to overcome their feelings of denial, guilt, and shame. Finally, they came to accept responsibility for the murderous crimes they committed and the ripple effects on the families of their victims, their own families, and the community.