LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- For Joe White, serving 28 years in notorious Angola, the Louisiana State Penitentiary, wasn't just a sentence to complete for an offense. Angola became a "birthplace, a school of learning and growing, learning the ways of human nature," he writes. In his new book of poetry, The Soul of Joe White: Experiences in Poetic Adventure as a Lifer (now available through 1stBooks), he pours out his thoughts as a prisoner and later a free man.
Beginning with an explanation of his life after he was sentenced to life in prison at age 19, the book shows the author's reasons for writing poetry, the self-development he underwent while in prison and the determination he nurtured along the way. All but two of the poems were written at Angola.
He writes about life and the lessons learned from his experiences. In "One Day," he writes about hope for prisoners. "The Will and the Way" is about how life works, no matter what the circumstances. In "Just Thinking," White gives the reader a peek into the thoughts of a prisoner:
"I wanna drift along,/ sing a song,/ get high off memories;/ I wanna get to know,/ just once more,/ how it feels to be free;/ I wanna rip and run,/ have a lot of fun,/ come, go as I please;/ I wanna sleep real late,/ give my self a break,/ put my mind at ease;/ I wanna go strange places,/ meet new faces,/ make myself at home;/ I wanna reach behind,/ reclaim what's mine,/ forget I was ever gone..."
Today, the author is working on his next book, The Soul of Joe White: In the Millennium Continuing to Realize a Dream Started Behind Bars.
White hopes readers feel the feelings of his soul and draw from them inspiration and energy. Born and raised in New Orleans, he was convicted of a capital offense at age 19. At 53, six years after his release, he began attending college. He earned an associate's degree in liberal arts from Los Angeles City College and a bachelor's degree in English from California State University.
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