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.
Hey RJ,
Thank you for sharing your poetry. I am glad that you decided to do so. I hope that you make it through all the storms of your life and happy to hear that you are coming out of one of those storms. RJ, I hope that no matter what happens, you find the strength within you to make it, no matter what life throws at you.
God bless,
Johnny
P.S. – Please continue to write.
Hello RJ,
I just wanted to say that I love your poem! It is short, yet powerful, like the storm that you described. By describing the storm as “Hurricane Katrina times ten,” you created a vivid image of the destruction and pain that comes with the “weather inside.” There is a lot of emotion in the five lines that you wrote, but despite the brutal storm that you talked about, I loved the sprinkling of positivity at the end. I hope that you continue to write as well as see this positivity, also known as the “bright sunny says,” in your daily life!
Best Wishes,
Jordan
Hello there! I admire the positive twist you placed in this very meaningful poem. I can see that you have been going through your storm for a long time now, but this storm too shall pass, and, like you said, you will see more sunny skies. I wish you the best and keep fighting the good fight!
RJ – Great Poem! Keep up the great writing and soon you will have your sunny days!
RJ this poem is very touching. For you to use such strong analogies shows me just how much you are going through. I am glad that you said you will come out of the storm on the other side to bright sunny days. Continue to push forward and look for those sunny days and remember to stay motivated.
RJ,
Thank you for sharing this! It is very well written and heartfelt. I like how you compared how you felt to a storm but ended it with how you are positive you are for better days.
CH
I really like the metaphor you used! good to hear that you are seeing brighter sunnier days 🙂
Hi RJ,
I love the way you packed a huge story and big feelings into a few beautifully chosen words. I hope to read more of your work in the future!
Best,
Gabrielle
The conciseness of this poem is one of my most favorite parts. You start off with this emotional and powerful storm brewing inside of you to a sense of assertiveness or confidence that these dark days will and must end and sunny days are on the horizon. I like how you compare the storm to Hurricane Katrina because it shows the magnitude of your emotions. You almost make it like an update to the reader that you are coming out of the storm and I really like the way that it reflects on you.
Great description of that internal pain/anger, etc. and glad to hear the storm is subsiding. You are able to put into words succinctly what most find difficult. You have quite a perception. Well done!
Dear RJ,
Thanks for this short and sweet poem! Although it’s not long, it is inspiring and hopeful, and tells a lot about how you’re feeling. I’m sure many would find this relatable, since everyone has their own struggles. I am glad that you are escaping the storm and I wish you all the best for the future!
Sincerely,
Joyce
Dear RJ,
Thanks for this moving poem! The idea that there is a storm inside of you is really striking, and powerful. And then when you swoop in with the idea that you’re heading towards bright, sunny days brings a sense of optimism and hope. Great job, I hope to read more of your work in the future!
Best,
Lia
RJ,
I love the lines: “the good thing is I’m coming out on the other side of this storm
To bright sunny days”. Thank you for being so vulnerable and open in your poem, and for being so upbeat in spite of the storms you are currently facing! This poem brings so much light and encouragement to the readers, and so thank you for sharing this with us!
Best,
Samantha
Hi RJ,
This poem is beautiful and your word choice is captivating. I love the closing line about how you are coming out of the other side of the storm to bright sunny days. This reminds everyone reading that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and I think it is beautiful you are using your words to remind people of this. Keep writing, you have such a gift!
Well wishes,
Grace
RJ,
I love this poem! You are able to create imagery and inspiration in such few lines, which is very impressive. Like many others, I relate so much to this poem, and I’m glad you are able to come out strong on the other side! I hope you are able to continue to see those bright sunny days, I’m rooting for you! Thank you for this poem, I can’t wait to read more of your work!
-Cameron
I love how short and direct this poem is. I hope you’ll write more on this topic. As you embrace the sun you now see ahead, what does it mean to walk into it carrying the part of you that held the storm? Thanks for sharing your writing with us!
RJ,
Although this poem is short it has a lot of content to think about. I am glad that you are writing poetry that helps you express your emotion. I can see that you have made the decision to be happy and that is truly amazing!This poem is inspiring because you are working on the anger inside yourself and know that you are going to come out on the other side where it is sunnier. Your poetry is great and I hope you keep it up even in the sunnier times!
-Allison
RJ,
This is a beautiful poem. Your allusion to Hurricane Katrina paints a strong image of the struggles you are facing internally. I love the message of hope at the end. Great job and keep on writing!
RJ,
I love this poem! It is so short and straightforward. The words you used are very powerful and meaningful, and I loved that you used Hurricane Katrina to help us understand what you’re going through. I love the optimism of this poem especially. You twisted it from stormy to sunny, having a positive outlook on life. Even though you are going through tough times, you know that things will get better. This poem also leaves me wondering what you mean when you say “and it has been brewing since the day I was born”. I love it!
Rj,
This is a inspiring poem. It actually spoke to me in a way, the vivid details of hurricane Katrina is very good. You compared them with your feelings very well. Thank you for sharing! Keep writing!
I really enjoyed the simplicity. There is such beauty in the little things. You were very direct and to the point. You’re coming out of a dark place and looking ahead to better days. I like it.
RJ, thank you for sharing this poem. It is short, sweet, and to the point. It also gives the reader a lot of imagery. You are so right when you mention that the best part of the storm is coming out of it. I look forward to reading more of your poems.
A song writer once said “They called me storm sense the day I was born”. This was a what I like to call a short, simple and sweet poem. Its straight to the point and very relatable.
i really like to hear you are seeing sunny days 🙂
This is a wonderful poem. Its short, right to the point, and very insightful.
Thanks for sharing RJ! This poem was short yet beautifully written and impactful. Keep up the great work!
Oh wow RJ, this was a really great read. I liked your allusions and the imagery in your poem. I love how you talked about natural disasters in a way that was deep and found a way to relate to something that is usually seen as an atrocity.
I just want to say that this piece was concise yet impactful. I hope that throughout these times of battling through the storm you learned lessons that people who were in the sun all day could not. You are a warrior and I hope the sunnier days will come to you soon. I like your optimistically outlook and it encourages me to do the same
The simplicity of this poem is amazing. In 5 lines you eloquently described a really emotional yet creative and personal story about yourself. Thank you for sharing this!
Hey RJ!
Thanks for the wonderful poem. I liked and appreciated the metaphor of the storm. One piece of advice – perhaps it would be possible to introduce a rhyme scheme, or to make it even longer and elaborate on how you will make it through the storm.
-Emily
Despite the length of this poem, RJ you did an excellent job on portraying a deep meaning. I loved the use of “Hurricane Katrina” because it really shows the imagination. I especially loved the ending where you mention that you are getting out of the storm. Good vibes are what we look forward to. You did an extremely good job on portraying that by changing your tone from fighting through life to being more optimistic.
Hi RJ, thank you for sharing your poem and emotion through this powerful piece! You were able to depict such a vivid image of destruction through “Hurricane Katrina times ten” and took us through the process by ending with coming out of the storm. My question for you is, what would your follow up on this piece be? How else would you relate your poetry to nature and why that as your inspiration? Thank you again, loved your piece!
I love how short, yet meaningful this poem is. I’m glad you’re coming out of the storm and are heading for greater things :). LOVE the storm metaphor.
I love the metaphor you use in nature, and how it accurately it depicts the troubles/burdens that weigh heavy as we grow older. The positivity you have is admirable, as well as your perseverance. Keep on writing, you got this!
Dear RJ,
Thank you for sharing this poem. I appreciate and enjoy the hope you carry through your hardship. I hope you continue writing, and I hope you are finally seeing some of those bright sunny days.
Best wishes,
– Joe
Hey RJ! I could easily relate to this poem. Sometimes our emotions can become so strong they almost blind us from reality. I love the positive message you had at the end. I sometimes feel like our emotions and inner turmoil puts on a veil to the real world. When we are angry, everything seems irritable, and when we are sad, everything seems to be depressing. I hope you make it out of your storm and look at life through new eyes. Great poem!
Hi! Wow, this poem is short but powerful! I love how optimistic you are that whatever you are going through you are going to get through it! We all face struggles and “storms” in our lives but eventually we see the sunny days. I wish you the very best! Keep on writing and staying positive!
I love how short and sweet your poem is. It has so much emotion. It makes me want to know more.
This poem was great! Each line had a new powerful element to it. Although it was short, I felt like you took me on a journey through the storm of life and ended with a beautiful sunny day! You imagery and emotion was very strong and impactful! Your poem was also very inspiring, letting people know there is always hope, even inside a crazy storm that someone may be going through. Thank you for this poem, it is amazing!
Dear RJ,
I really liked the imagery of a storm but then escaping to a bright sunny future. I really like the message that things will always get better.
RJ, this is a great poem! I love how it is short but packed with so much imagery and comparison. This is so simple yet so meaningful, here is to more sunny days!!
The idea behind this poem is great. Your imagery helps me create a picture in my mind of what is going on inside you. I also love this message and how much hope is behind your words. It is very inspiring to me. All bad things do come to end and you have realized that within this poem. This poem is to the point and easy to follow which I also appreciate.
Hey RJ
I like the poem. I like the comparison to the storm
Hi RJ,
Thank you so much for writing this poem and sharing it. This is such a powerful poem, I got chills just reading it. I think you did an excellent job at using such a strong analogy to describe the storm that you are feeling. I love that you have turned this dark time into something as positive as a bright sunny day at the end. Sometimes the brightest days are right after a storm and that can be the hardest thing to understand when going through a dark time. I am glad that you are staying positive. I am rooting for you! Best wishes.
-T.T.
RJ,
The metaphor you used is truly so creative! I pondered your words and my mind traveled to a lot of different kinds of imaginations, although it was short, it was perfect to give your reader something to think about. And, you are so right, the best is yet to come! Keep writing, you are amazing.
Julia Rinaldi
RJ,
My name is Maria Griffin, and I am a second-year student at Wayne State University in Detroit. This semester, I am taking a class whose goal is to engage with the community, beyond the university and corporations.
“The Weather Inside of Me,” was a poem that truly captured feelings of sorrow and hope. Using Hurricane Katrina to describe what goes on inside of you was a great way to truly paint an accurate picture for the reader. It makes it sound chaotic and scary for many many years. However, you don’t just leave it at that. You turn the sorrow into hope. The light at the end of the tunnel is visible and you describe that in you last two lines. Again, another great picture is painted for the audience when you relate it to sunny days because after a storm, there are always going to be more sunny days.
Great job, RJ! I think your poem is a very encouraging one that turns pain into hope! Keep up the good work.
Hello RJ,
Thank you for sharing your poetry. I feel like I really felt you open up. I can tell that you have been struggling in some way but are now coming out of it. This is a very empowering poem. I look forward to reading more of your work!
This was an awesome use of metaphors. All of your comparisons really had me visualizing the depth of this poem.
Poetry does not need to be long and detailed to have a lot of meaning and this poem is an example of this. In such short words, the author was able to convey not only the pain in his heart but also the hope they still have. This poem shows how they view the world and their life in addition to the bright future they still see at the end of the tunnel, I loved this.
Hey RJ! I love this poem you wrote! It is so powerful and I am glad you shared it! I am sorry for your struggles, but I am so glad you have that feeling of hope! The last two lines of your poem make me so happy! Stay positive, and be strong, I wish you luck!!
RJ,
I loved your poem. It is short but very powerful. Negative feelings can be very overwhelming and seem to overtake your life. I like your optimism about coming out on the other side. I know you can get out of the storm you are feeling. Keep writing!!
Hi RJ, my name is Emily and I am a student at a university in Detroit. One of my classes contains a service and community component to it and that is how i came across this website. I enjoyed how your poem was deep but short. It was great to compare what was inside of you to Hurricane Katrina because I could tell how you were feeling.The thing that I liked most about your poem is how relatable it is. Everyone has these feelings inside of them that can tie them down or build them up. I know that I have had days that it feels like there is a hurricane inside of me and I am just a ball of emotions. Thank you for sharing that other people like you go through these periods of doubt as well. In your poem you talked about how you are moving on to brighter days. I hope that it is true and that you have found happiness. Thank you for sharing your emotions in this poem.
RJ,
Even though it is a short poem, it speaks volumes. Your words are motivating and passionate. Some days, we probably all feel that the storm is going to consume us but it is always good to remember that sunny days are ahead!
Thank you and great work!
Really like your Hurricane Katrina metaphor. It’s difficult handling emotions when they grow to be so overpowering–especially when they’ve been brewing for so long– but there is a light at the end of the tunnel that shows those “sunny days” and I work toward this every day!
RJ, I loved your poem! I really liked your comparison and I hope you continue to write!
K.R.
This poem is very empowering and relatable too. Through your writing I can sense your emotional expression. I can sense your struggle you went through, but came out of it a stronger person. Thank you for sharing!
Hey RJ,
Thank you so much for sharing your poem, I really could sense your willingness to open up and share your feelings and experiences. The use of making this poem short I feel emphasizes its power and evokes more than enough emotion. This has really hit home with me and I am grateful for your willingness to share your work.
Hello! I am currently in a college class called Writing and Community, which is an English class that focuses on community outreach and service learning to enhance our learning. I really enjoyed reading your poem and the message you were able to convey through your writing. I think you have a very powerful message about coming out the other side and not being defined by the storm that you say has been inside of you your whole life. I very much hope you continue to write and express yourself through poetry!
Hi RJ, this is a very beautiful poem. While it is short, it holds a lot of emotion and complexity. I love the storm metaphor, and I hope you have many sunny days ahead of you.
I am a student in a community service course at Wayne State in Detroit whose goal is to engage with the community beyond the university. When I discovered Free Minds I was immediately thrilled to see the connections build around your writings and heart, and what you have to offer is a powerful and beautiful gift to the community. It was a true privilege getting the opportunity to read what is on your heart and mind, your desires and passions, thoughts, and struggles. You have so much to say, so much wisdom to give, and such deep experiences and desires to share with the community that people from all walks of life, backgrounds, beliefs, and ages can deeply connect with and affiliate with. Keep engaging with the community and making your voice heard. You bring healing, hope, and renewal of mind to many who have the privilege to share in your poetry. Wow, RJ, your poem is so powerful and physically uplifting. It brings people out of a slumber and overwhelming tornado from the storm by saying, “I’m coming out on the other side” and “there will be bright and sunny days.” Such a beautiful testament to life, and it sounds like you are almost out of this storm in this season- so happy for you. You give people so much hope with your words it brings tears to my eyes. Thank you and keep writing.
Hey RJ,
Ah, the old storm. It rages in each of us for different reasons. Whatever the cause, we need to find helpful ways to calm the storm and listen to our authentic selves. It sounds like you’re doing that. I wish you so much luck and I hope you have so many sunny days ahead of you. Sending you love!
Hi RJ,
I really enjoyed reading this poem. Although it was short, it was very easy for me to comprehend because of writing. Sometimes our feelings inside can be overwhelming and hard for us to understand. Emotions are very powerful. It is a great feeling when you are able to overcome or come to peace with something that weighs heavy on your emotions and feelings. Emotions and feelings are a huge factor on how your day(s) will go. I am happy that you have the ability to write your emotions and thoughts in such a creative and understandable way. Thanks for sharing with us!
Shawn
RJ,
This is an inspring poem, and I get a sense of a work in progress when I read it. Your description of how you feel a storm raging, yet you know good things will come after is beautiful. I love you vulnerable you are willing to be with with your audience. I can not wait for those good things after the storm. Keep progressing and keep writing, you are talented.
The simplicity of this poem is so impactful. Keep writing – sunnier days are head. I love the imagery of the storm.
I like how short but concise your poem was. You started with a storm brewing inside you, yet the sunny days are yet to arrive. This is uplifting and encouraging! You got this!
This is such a powerful poem about growth and fighting demons. We all have struggles and what matters the most is fighting them, everyday is a constant battle but theres always a rainbow at the end of the storm.
I love the positivity radiating from this poem! Keep up the good work and please keep writing!
Hi, RJ! I love your poem and I hope that you get through whatever you’re going through. It is a short poem but holds so much meaning and emotion. I wish you nothing but success and I hope that you keep writing because that is a great gift. I pray that you see more sunny days <3
Dear RJ,
I love the metaphor of a storm. It really evokes such powerful imagery, and shows how powerful emotions can be. I believe that good weather is headed your way. You are deserving of clear skies and sunny days! Thank you for sharing a bit of your story through this beautiful poem. Keep up the good work!
Best,
SS
Hey RJ!
Your poem is short but so powerful! You created an amazing image when you said “Hurricane Katrina times ten.” I think that this is something that people can relate to in a variety of ways which creates a lot of emotion and connection. You then switched the emotion to an optimistic outlook that is often searched so hard for. This roller coaster of emotions was short but very inspirational. I admire your strength for choosing positivity and I hope that your bright sunny days last forever! Thank you and I look forward to reading more of your work!
Great job RJ! You are coming out on the other side better than you were before! Thanks for sharing!
I love when poems use nature to express feelings and emotions, I think that was a beautiful way to describe the way you are feeling. You gave a lot of powerful and imagery in just a few short lines and ended it amazingly with sunny days. Thank you for sharing, this was an awesome poem!
Hello RJ,
I like how you compared how you felt to a storm but ended it with how you are looking forward to better days. You will see those better days soon! Great job on your poem!
RJ,
your conciseness in the writing of this poem is wonderful. I understand feeling that there is a storm brewing inside but through your writing you are expressing yourself and creating brighter days ahead. Continue your writing and use your voice! To the sunny days ahead.
I like the descriptive words you used in your poem like comparing the weather inside you to Hurricane Katrina. Although this poem is short and sweet the message is fully there. I also like how you ended your poem on a positive note because it shows that at the end of the day, things do get better with time. Keep up the great work!
I loved your analogy to a hurricane. You started with a bad storm and ended it with a sunny ending. It was a big story, put into little words. Amazing work keep it up.
Verbalization of your emotions is an important part in dealing with them but that isn’t always easy. Your verbalization between the comparison of your emotions and the weather, more specifically a storm, shows the depth of emotions you are feeling. A storm depicts a whirlwind of emotion and is usually seen in a more negative way. Your belief that the storm only makes the sunshine, the good things, better is moving.
I simply wanted to say how much I appreciate your poem. Like the storm you said, it is short but strong. I enjoyed how you compared the misery and destruction caused by a storm using a metaphor. I liked how you linked how you were feeling to a storm and concluded by saying you are confident that brighter days are ahead. Keep up the good work and keep pushing through!
Hey RJ, this poem is so powerful! It is short and simple but has so much strength. I know times are rough and can be really hard but the good days are coming so remember to stay strong. Definitely keep writing!!
Dear RJ,
I like this poem because of how present it is. Your metaphor of a storm is fantastic and how your emotions stand as the “weather”. The line where you say you are coming out of the storm to bright and sunny days shows hope and that presence I was talking about. I love that you use nature as a pallet for your emotions. It creates strong imagery and a lot of expression to explain exactly how you are feeling. I hope that you continue to push through whatever storms come your way. Great writing.
Best,
CB
The thing about this poem that I like the most is the imagery you create with real like Hurricane Katrina. Everyone knows how bad Hurricane Katrina hit which shows how bad your emotions are twirling inside of you. Dealing with sudden changes of emotions is very difficult but with the right help, and the right mindset, you can get through it. Keep up the great writing!
I love the contrast from the beginning to the end of your poem, your tone was much darker using storm based vocabulary and metaphor and to end it on such a happy word and idea is great usage of tone and moood
Hi RJ,
Thanks for spreading light and hope through your poem. Very short but has good impact. It speaks about how your anxiety is in overdrive about things to come. Despite the uncertainty of the future you do look forward to better situations ahead. Keep dreaming and hoping. Also learn to live in the moment and don’t be too anxious for the future but try to appreciate the small steps taken to get there.
This poem has a powerful meaning behind the words. From growing up in a turbulent environment, it’s good to know that the future is looking up for you. Stay strong!
Thank you for sharing your poem with us. You shared true raw emotions with us. What I like about this poem is you shared your struggles of growing up. How you compared yourself to hurricane Katrina but times ten. It shows how much you have fought to be the person you are today. When you said I can see the other side of the storm symbolizes growth and strength but still pushing past all the darkness. Good for you for coming out on the other side it’s something you should be very proud of. Keep writing these beautiful poems!
I liked the use of the metaphors in this poem. The true emotions were conveyed and hidden behind these words. I hope that the storms stop and the happiness starts but in the end, that represents how strong a person can be.