With three months left of a probation sentence which stemmed from a felony firearm case, I was arrested at my home in possession of yet another firearm. This began a yearlong period of incarceration in the San Diego County Jail's South Bay Detention Facility. Four stories underground, amid hopelessness, depression, shamefulness, and despair I began to write poetry. During the last six months of this self-created Hell, I became overwhelmed by the reality that I had the power of choice in all my present thoughts and actions. This led me to the decision, and ultimately the commitment of...