Excerpt and Discussion

Below is an excerpt from the first three pages of Sincerely Yours' novel, "Misty's Blood". Please join us in the discussion. :)

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"I know exactly how you feel."

Has someone ever said that to you while you're going through? I've heard it so many times, it's almost like a broken record in my head. Sure, their sympathy is appreciated, but in reality no one knows nor can they feel your pain. No matter what anyone does in an attempt to comfort you, there is nothing anyone can do to ease your pain. In time the pain will wane, but the memory becomes a lifetime reminder of disaster.

We all have our regrets in life.

At times we wish we could go back to the past and change or avoid some of our mistakes and the people we've encountered. Unfortunatey, if a time machine was ever invented, they would probably have to turn it over to the CIA.

My name is Misty, and this story is a testimony of my trials and tribulations. I am currently serving a life sentence for killing the only man I have ever loved. My life has been a fairy-tale nightmare. Before I was born I was subjected to the kind of life you would not wish on your worst enemy's daughter. My innocence and childhood were taken away from me before I had a chance to learn to talk. I wished I was never born and gave up on life long before I could even learn to spell the word. Sometimes I ask God what I did to deserve so much pain. My name is Misty Johnson. My mother gave me that name because it was the title of her favorite song, "Misty Blues". She thought I was going to become a singer, as I used to cry so hard that my eyes would swell. I guess, as a baby, I saw the future and was already begging for help. If I could have a second chance at life, I would gladly make the trade.

The judge sentenced me to life in prison with no chance of parole. Maybe, after hearing my testimony, she decided I would be safer behind bars. I developed a passion for writing during my first two years in jail for attempted murder. I started writing poetry after no one would reply to my letters. Being behind bars is a very hostile and lonely experience, and when the outside world rejects me, I have no choice but to accept the fact that I am alone. Those who are on the outside seem to have no compassion towards me, so I write what I feel through poetry.

I got in a fight with one of the other inmates, and they put me in solitary confinement for six months. I thought I was going to go crazy. I didn't know what to do to maintain my sanity, so I started to write my story in my head. I could not wait to get out so I could start writing. Now that I am back in the general population, I have decided to put my life on paper.

Do you believe in God? Do you believe in love? Do you believe if you do good, good will multiply in your life? I believe in God, but sometimes it seems as if he gave up on me. I don't believe in love because I don't know what love is. I did all the good I could, and all I got was disappointment and pain.

MISTY'S BLOOD

When you have been kicked and punched,
and it seems you can't be brought down further,
people bury you.

You hold out your hand, a beggar,
but like a king they only push your hand away
Like a king they wear masks of pity and charity,
but sit upon their thrones of privilege and ignore your cries.

This has been my life:
The bud of a beautiful flower
crushed
stomped
spat on

and given no chance nor room to blossom

My life has never been a bed of roses, but a bed of thorns.
I've been given gives of deceit, betrayal, and pain--
never roses.

My dreams are scattered like the
body parts of the victim of a
merciless murder
the victim of
abusers
rapists
cheaters
pedophiles
thieves of life

My name is Misty and this is my story,
but we all sing the Misty blues.
My blues led to red--Misty's blood.
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After reading the above excerpt, what kind of themes do you see that connect with your life experiences or current trials, tribulations, and struggles?

Have you, like Misty, experienced lost love? Imprisonment (actual prison or figurative)? Betrayal? Loneliness? Faith, or lack thereof? How are YOU like Misty?

Use this space to explore how we are all Misty in one way or another, and how you have come to be the person you are today. Feel free to be open and honest, and you can explore the content of Misty's words as well as your own stories.