Contributors’ Notes
Lawrence Blankenship: I decided to write or submit this writing to try and help someone out there who has gone through terrible things and to show them that with God in your life, the creator will help you overcome your problems. No matter how bad it may seem, we have to count all things as good and believe he will help us as human beings.
Kenneth R. Brydon: It is said that writing untangles one’s thoughts; I agree. You can see the complete story, “San Quentin, July 4th, 1975,” at www.pen.org.
Randall Countryman is an amateur writer who was introduced to writing short stories/essays by Patten University at San Quentin. Nostalgia and memories of a simpler, happier life were the inspiration for “Where Have All the People Gone.” Plans for a novel that incorporates all of Randall’s short stories/personal essays may soon be underway.
Danny Vince Cox: I am from a small town, Hobbs, New Mexico. I love all sports, particularly basketball. My favorite book is What Manner of Man, about Martin Luther King, Jr. Thus far the greatest achievement in my life was getting a scholarship from New Mexico to play basketball at Long Beach City College. The youth of today inspired me to write this poem (“Listen”). I want our youth to understand the key to success is education, and that through dedication and determination all their goals are attainable.
Michael Endres: I wrote it because whenever I think back to that time and place it always brings a smile to my heart.
David Garner left San Quentin in 2007.
Kolai Faumui: Though some things will never be fully explained, proved, or justified, Jesus Christ is lord and savior of the worlds and nations for eternity. Love in Christ.
Henry Edward Frank: I was born in Eureka, California and in my first three years of high school, I cut all my English classes because I did not like reading nor writing. I now have an AA degree and it has taken over 33 years to understand and accept who I am, to express myself correctly and coherently. And I can honestly say I enjoy writing. I equally enjoy that people want to read what I write. Words are just words until a writer lines them up in the correct order for a reader to give them power.
Justin W. Gies: ”Prometheus” came about through a process of learning, thinking, and creativity. When I started the series, I was in the x-ray program, and it just seemed a logical progression. For me, “Prometheus” symbolizes the human desire to search the universe, visible and invisible, for reasons why. Having that spark to wonder and question.
Toby Hamman left San Quentin in 2006.
Fred K. Harris graduated from Patten University at San Quentin in June 2007.
Chuck Hopple: In writing my essay, I attempted to capture four points: one, that parole had greatly changed from its origins of social services enabling successful reentry by the parolee; two, just how fragile this process is when lacking the bare essentials of life; three, in addition to the obvious failure of the parole system, to compare this industry to business conditions, which would not endure such losses, but would quickly and without any sympathy discard any unprofitable enterprises; and four, urge to repeal the “advances” made to parole in favor of the social services that provided the necessities for the parolee’s successful reentry.
John Owen Neblett: Born in New York City, 03/05/63. I told a girlfriend when I was 18 I hoped to write poetry someday; as of April of ’05, I’d written two poems. Since then I’ve written hundreds. A note of caution to aspiring poets: In the beginning was the word – he came to us in the flesh and was hung on a tree for being and preaching that he was the way, the truth and the life. That is the power of the word – maker of universes.
Felix Fausto Perez: I was born in Mexico to a poor family. I was brought to USA at age 14 and not knowing any English I was enrolled in Ukiah High, where I earned the MVP award in 1990-1991 season of soccer. My hobbies, when I was free, were wheeling my pick-up truck, riding dirt bike or four-wheeler or spending time with my boys. In here I just enjoy playing soccer.
Phil’s an employee of SQTV, where he and four other workers do video shoots for the institution. Phil also plays guitar and keyboards and plays guitar for the Garden Chapel.
Curtis H. Roberts: This story was written to capture the thoughts and memories of my daughter Kristiona who over 12 years ago was taken from me upon my incarceration. It is my way of remembering her, and hopefully for her to read that she is never far from my thoughts. I love you, Kristiona, may we each never forget the love God gave us in each other.
Gregory Lynn Sanders: This was written not only for an assignment, but for an awakening; to stop hating because of a learned response. As a contributor, this is what I hope is learned. Not to hate any color.
Kamal A. SiefEldeen: I wrote “Until Next Feast” while my heart observes my childhood memories, my nostrils full of the Mediterranean evening saline-mist, my eyes pumping my veins with the joy of those years of innocence, and my eye-lids blanketing pictures of the three women in my life: my departed beloved mother, my sister, and my niece.
Jonathan “JW” Wilson hails from Brooklyn, New York and currently resides in the Bay Area. He attends Patten University and is currently in the process of completing a book of personal essays entitled Talk of the Town.
