The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.
Dear Poet,
This is such a great poem to read, and all the emotion behind it is incredible. When I read it there are thoughts of happiness, anger, sadness, and joy. I get the sense of happiness because its a birthday, another year of life worth celebrating. Then I get anger and sadness because people are gone. Lastly I get joy as you talk about people singing, kisses, and birthday cards which are all thigns that bring someone joy. It’s quite amazing that you could capture all of that in a poem. Thank you for sharing your poem, and I hope you keep writing.
This poem is very powerful and I like the simplicity. It gets straight to the point but has a very nice meaning. I’m 19 and I seem young, but I too have experienced a lot. 19 times around the sun, 19, birthday cakes, 19 tough times, 19 happy memories, 19 happy birthdays and that’s it… I barely remember it all. This is one of my favorite poems even though it’s one of the simplest I have ever read. Thank you. You got this and remember the best is yet to come!