Through the Walls

Monday, July 04, 2005


Violence in Puerto Rico


How are you? I hope you’re doing great. Today, I want to talk to you about the violence in my country (Puerto Rico). It’s hard to believe that so many things happen in such a small island. I read an article that some inmates from New York wrote, and I would like for you to read it so you get the idea of what we, the inmates, think about the violence in Puerto Rico.

Advice from an Inmate

My cell-mates and I are surprised after noticing how much violence is growing. Each time there are more jealous husbands who take their wives’ lives. Lately, we have seen how the lives of many “innocent” people have been lost because of the shootings at public places. I’ve also seen how the Puerto Rican youths are killing each other for control of the drug points and silly things. Every day I ask myself the same question, what’s going on with the Puerto Rican youths? It seems that the streets in Puerto Rico are out of control.

Puerto Rican youth, I ask this of you. It’s time that you bring peace to each other already. It’s time that you set your guns aside, and stop killing each other for the control of the drug points. It’s time to unite as brothers. Too many lives are being lost. Too many mothers are suffering. Too many children are losing their fathers. And you, jealous man, control your jealousy attacks.

As well as many of you, I know what it is to “hang out” on the street because I grew up there, and to be honest, the streets don’t give you anything. Today, I’m locked up. Puerto Rican youth, life inside four walls is not all roses. There’s no life in here; you suffer here, and at night when silence falls and loneliness embraces you, you’ll cry as much a man as you are. You won’t have your mom or dad in here; you’re all alone. Those who said where your buddies, those who said would be with you no matter what, are the first one to abandon you, while your mom suffers and cries because you’re locked up. Puerto Rican youth, as your brother, I ask that there will be union among you.

My brothers, this message is not personal. I’m only trying to get this thoughts into every one of your hearts and your conscience, so you can understand that this killing among yourselves cannot go on. Too many lives are being lost. Especially the lives of “innocent” people.

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Well, take good care. Until next time.

Your friend,

Pedro

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If I Knew

If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would videotape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time, I would spare an extra minute or two
to stop and say "I love you," instead of assuming you would know I do.

If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance to make everything right.

There will always be another day to say "I love you,"
and certainly there's another chance to say our "Anything I can do's?"

But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you and I hope we never forget,
tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike.
And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day
that you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss,
and you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today, whisper in their ear,
tell them how much you love them and that you'll always hold them dear.

Take time to say "I'm sorry," "please forgive me," "thank you," or "it's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today.

(Author: Unknown)

posted by P.M., 8:04 PM Email This Post

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