I was first introduced to Poetic Justice by Sarah Donovan at her site Ethical ELA in July, 2020.
Poetic Justice offers restorative writing and creative arts programs to women who are incarcerated. Since 2014, they have been offering classes in jails and detention facilities that engage in self-reflective, therapeutic writing: “By using poetry, women who have never written in their lives find the confidence to write from their hearts.” (They were featured on CNN Heroes.)
Sarah Donovan, Ethical ELA
Because of the pandemic, Poetic Justice could no longer go into prisons and teach the writing workshops, but that didn’t stop them. Now they have more than 150 inmates and volunteers writing poetry and letters to each other. I volunteered to be a writing partner and am now in my third round of writing.
I believe in the power of poetry to heal. My writing partner, Kwain, has solidified that belief for me in the 8 months that we have been writing to each other. As with any deeply personal project, it has taken a while for her to trust me with her writing. I feel it is a privilege to receive it. This month we exchanged I am From poems.
I am From
I am from the homemade Jalapeño skillet cornbread
Kwain Monroe
with pig intestines known as chitlins.
I am from the Dominoes playing as
the adults yell out foul words
as the odor of cigarettes corrupt the air of the room.
I am from Earth, Wind, and Fire, R Kelly and soul music.
I am from the state flower BlueBonnet,
Texas Longhorn.
I am from the small church known as Immanuel Baptist Church
where I got saved when I was 9 years old.
I am from a fatherless home.
I am from being Independent is a must
because all I had was my mom.
I am from “Everything is bigger”.
I am from Amarillo, Texas.
The writing I receive from Kwain comes as scans of notebook pages. I write to her through a paid service (30 cents per letter).
If you are interested in this project, consider a donation. $25 can sponsor one inmate’s participation and supplies. Poetic Justice website.
Reflections on the Teche 
I know Poetic Justice is one of Sarah’s passions. Where I’m From poems are a great way for those new to poetry to find their inner poet. I am surprised to see your writing partner’s full name here but assume they sign a release of some kind allowing their work to be published.
Yes. I checked and they do sign a release.
Wow, what a powerful way to heal, reflect, and express oneself. Thank you for introducing Poetic Justice to me. I will find out more.
A beautiful form for all but what a tremendous experience for Kwain and her readers. Thank you for publishing her work. It makes me think that this kind of thing should be more widely distributed. Not just for financial support, but for the understanding.
There is such power in writing and owning your story; I can’t help but think of the positive influence this program has on the women who are incarcerated. Please thank Kwain on our behalf for allowing us to see her in her words. And yes, Poetic Justice is now on my radar as well!
Thank you for sharing this wonderful work. Please do thank her for sharing her words with us. This is a great project and glad it could continue through the pandemic.
What a great poem! Poetry is a very powerful form of writing.
What a powerful poem, that is remarkable and exactly gives us a picture of her background and all the incidents of life that have been against her from the start. How good to be spending some time working with her, it must be very rewarding.
I loved ready this powerful poem and I want to look up Poetic Justice (and ethical ELA). I adore that this kind of work is being done, even through the pandemic. Yes, please thank us for sharing her words with usus.
I Am From poems are so fascinating. Kwain’s poem – poignant and beautiful. It makes my heart ache. We once had speaker come to a teacher summer writing institute, who did writing workshops with incarcerated women … she talked about how empowering it was, and how one woman said “When you write – you are free.” This is such important work, Margaret.