Katie Nichol, NWA Prison Story Project’s creative writing director, worked with Matthew Henriksen of Cannibal Books and Art Amiss to produce a very limited chapbook composed of writing generated by the participants of the 3rd session of the project. A limited number of copies are available for a $100 donation to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church to support the creation of a half-way house for women paroling out of prison in Northwest Arkansas. If you are interested in owning one of these beautiful chapbooks, please let us know.. There is no half-way house in Northwest Arkansas, and all the proceeds of the sale of these chapbooks will go to support St. Paul’s efforts to create a residential house for the continued recovery of the women returning to our community. Please contact us via email if you are interested in owning one of these one-of-a-kind chapbooks and supporting a very worthy cause.
Samples of writing:
I Am From by Essence
I am from a woman who loved a man. I am from a man who
wanted a girl, who did not live to see that girl turn three
months old. I am from love lost.
I am from alcohol. I am from running while my mother picked
up the closest thing to her, now matter what it was, to throw.
I am from confusion and sadness, as I’m being taken away from
my family. I am from loneliness as I move from place to place.
I am from many schools. I am from isolation. I am from
relationships with men. I am from the pain of living life. I am
from two motherless and fatherless kids.
I am from addiction, as I strike the lighter to a glass pipe with
brillo in it. I am from nothing being on the inside to something
inside wanting to live.
I am from prayers and seeking the truth. I am from Jesus Christ.
I am from my soul being pumped with joy, understanding, peace,
and love.
I am from a light renewed heart. I am from a new start, a new
beginning at life. I am from being a survivor of life experience,
I am from my life.
Things I Didn’t Know I Loved by Ivy
I didn’t know I loved the birds soaring
through the sky.
I didn’t know I loved the smell of the rain
or fresh cut grass.
I didn’t know I loved the way my mom
looks at me or the smell
of her perfume.
I know I can’t turn back the clock,
but I wish I could.
I didn’t know I loved the way my husband
smells when he comes home
from work.
I didn’t know I loved the sound of my son’s
laughter or the look in his eyes
when I hold him close.
I didn’t know I loved my daughter’s
butterfly kisses as I tuck
her into bed at night.
I took my life for granted, and now
I miss the little things…
I didn’t know I loved the beautiful
moon flowers, and how they
open up at night to say hello.
I didn’t know I loved running barefoot
on the rocks.
I didn’t know I love the lightning
and sitting on the porch with all
the animals as the rain falls.
I didn’t know I loved pigs, chickens, goats,
horses, and cows.
I didn’t know I loved being a small town
country girl.
I can’t turn back the clock, but
I wish I could…