By California Institution for Women (CIW) Program Participants
I am…
Cosmic dust of the universe
sprinkled by the Creator into this
temporary body to walk this earth
through darkness towards light.
I am constantly growing and flowing
like water towards its source. I am
firmly rooted in the ground choosing
to bloom where I am planted yet continuously
climbing towards the sky.
I am a giver of life who has also stolen
life. I am a wounded healer walking
a path through to the barren desert towards
the verdant landscape of future.
-Paige
I am…
Crunchy, someone you hear and can’t help but notice
Shades of purple and gold, royal and indulgent.
Kind until you piss me off
A cool breeze on a warm day
Crazy when I can’t work out
Unbearable when I have a specific way of doing things
Straightforward to those who can handle it, rude to those who can’t
Mission-oriented, focused, and forgiving
I am talented, like good at everything I try
I am beautiful, and worthy of love
A good woman who has done bad things
Ever-changing, constantly learning, and willing to grow
Searching for true love and people that accept me as I am
A plant with deep unseen roots
A gogan, leave me sleeping because I shoot fire
I am built to last
-Jessicha
I am…
everything and nothing,
the largest star in the galaxy, the smallest grain of sand
and all the miracles in between
I cannot be contained or deprived
by the constructs of human imagination nor any dictionary
I am…
unending
created before the beginning and lasting beyond the end
I am…
remarkable and ordinary
and I reserve the right to change or modify
any and all aspects of my being in any given moment
-Anonymous
I am…
compassionate and silly.
Laughter and love radiate around me.
I am brave and resilient
God gives His hardest battles to His strongest soldiers.
I am an ear to listen, and a friend of comfort
Arms open wide ready to embrace.
I am a dreamer of all things.
Wishing on stars and looking beyond the horizon
over storms
I am who God wanted me to be
Imperfectly perfect, and willing.
I am me, happy, and free
My name is Kimberly.
-Kimberly
I am…
Beautiful, Happy and Fun to be around. I am a great cook, even while I am in prison, I can get down with some food. I am a writer, I am writing a book about my life story. I am dyslexic, so sometimes I have struggles. I am the same Happy, Fun and Beautiful person all the time, I don’t change. I am a survivor who was hit by a car at 7 ½ , but looking at me you would never know the struggles I’ve been through and how much I have grown.
-Monique
I am…
outgoing, fun, talkative, energetic, silly & a bit ridiculous.
I am thoughtful, considerate, compassionate & full of empathy for others.
I am insecure, fearful, anxious, and a perfectionist.
I am resilient, strong, faithful & an overcomer.
I’ve faced loss after loss, incarceration and more loss.
I am capable of withstanding storms, breaking cycles & breaking chains.
I am enough, I am worthy, I am not alone.
-Olivia <3
I am…
a strong, compassionate woman,
I am driven by love, mindfulness, and a desire to help,
I am scared to show or share me with people,
I am an ambitious woman with unwavering determination,
I am a mother, daughter, sister, lover, & friend,
I am appreciative of the simple things in life,
I am a giver who has trouble receiving,
I have a fear of failing & causing harm to others,
I am worthy of love, consideration, mindfulness, & compassion.
I am rough around the edges with walls to protect my soft core,
I am complex with a deep need for simplicity.
-Vanessa
I am…
an amazing human being.
I am heartbroken for the poor decisions I have made.
I’m devastated for being away from my family.
I am positive that I will be going home a better person.
I am proud to be a grandmother.
I am generous and kind.
I am in love with my God and I love myself!
I am a firm believer that people can change.
-Valerie
I am…
whoever you perceive,
I hope you see parts of yourself in me.
Oh, the good things, choose that.
I am strong, and soft. Not too hard, hard things break,
but resilient, and flexible, I bounce back.
I am better, not bitter, even when I get bitter,
I will get better.
I am the glue in my family, getting through sticky situations.
I am deep, according to brook, I am far from shallow for those who think.
I am swimming good, flowing, and growing.
I am the light forging through the Dark.
I am a seed that blooms, no one knowing
how much darkness and pain it took to Flower.
-Love
I am…
I am what you see
but there is still more to me
I may look weak on the outside
but I am strong on the inside
I am really quiet in a way
but I also have a lot to say
I am aware of what I want
I align my actions, I can be adamant!
I am forgetful all day, all night
but I’ll remember when you treat me right
I am quick to forgive
that’s just how I want to live
I am still growing and learning
an amazing human being
I am Aimee
I’ll always be free.
-Aimee
I am…
I am who I am and who I’m not I’ll never be
It’s not a rhythm or beat I won’t move to
Unless it’s ungodly
Please be polite and don’t dog me
I am a writer by loneliness and isolation
I am a lover of God from desperation
I am not a follower of false beliefs
I just do my own thing despite the challenges
I am resilient and lover of HIM
I am not my past
I am not a mishap
I am sanctified and set apart
I am no longer gullible but I still lead with my heart
I am confident despite the deaths
I am truthful despite the tears
I am an overcomer, a conqueror
Over my fears
Because
I am who I am and who I’m not I’ll never be
-Aushua
I am…
I am strength and creativity
uniquely my own
I am fierce and reserved
relentless and shy
Warmly attentive, isolated in fear
openly guarded, kindly withdrawn
The cougar in the wild, resting still
in the warmth of the cool night
Awaken from anticipatory grief and
sadness unknown…life is unknown
As the crystal stars sparkle upon the
clear still waters, I shine
Protective mother of grown cubs,
watching from the distant hills,
Quietly, I roar in heartache, in longing,
in hope to return to the pride.
No longer the pride, but a piece of the whole,
incomplete without, yet whole within
I am strength and resilience
unique, on my own.
-Jennifer