Through traditional and non-traditional poetry, the authors share some of their most poignant life experiences, from finding true love and friendship to the tragic loss of family members to the musings of personal introspection.
After years of writing for personal healing and enjoyment, the loss of Keven's mother moved him to share his words with the world to honor family
and friends, past and present.
Joined by Seth in compiling this work, the authors have collected a selection of their poems from the last half-decade, each with their own story to tell. The book and poetry are adorned with beautiful, evocative, hand-drawn images from the authors and their dearest friends. The fusion of text and images provides a unique perspective from inside the walls of confinement.
McIntyre, Keven A.: - Keven McIntyre was born in Oklahoma, raised in California, and currently resides in Virginia. A graduate of NationsUniversity, Keven also holds bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll certifications from the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers. After competing as an elite gymnast in the early 1990's, Keven became involved in retail management and accounting. In his free time, Keven enjoys playing tennis, listening to music, reading, and, of course, writing poetry.
Morris, Seth: - Seth Morris as a Military Veteran, artist, and poet. He was born and raised in Illinois and currently resides in Virginia. A college graduate, Seth holds bookkeeping certification from the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers and teaches bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, and GED classes to federal inmates. In his free time, he enjoys playing handball, reading, music, and spending time in the solace of his art supplies.
Silva, Ellie: - Ellie Silva is a transgender female artist currently incarcerated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). Prior to entering prison, Ellie lived in Massachusetts where she owned & operated a stable and trained horses and riders to compete in show jumping. This career path led to extensive travelling, mostly within North America and occasionally to Europe. During these travels, she developed a deeper appreciation for art as she frequented numerous galleries and museums. In addition to a growing passion for artwork, Ellie has a long history and love for music, first learning the piano at age 7, followed by singing and guitar. These artistic expressions were sharpened by her time in prison where she sought to improve both musically and artistically through paint, watercolor, and graphite art. John Metcalf was particularly helpful in guiding Ellie's talents as they worked side-by-side for 6 years painting and drawing with moments spent working on music and band performances. In fact, Ellie was Keven's inspiration for the poem on page 41. Ellie has known Keven for over a decade while serving time together in the BOP. Ellie is excited to share her work along with Keven's poetry and believes that art, along with a thoughtfully written poem, may have the power to evoke emotion. Upon her release from prison, Ellie looks forward to making her artwork a permanent part of her life, not only for her own pleasure, but as a potential career path.
