What’s it like to live in prison 

all the way from the beginning 

from such tender years 

do you ever feel forgiven 

What’s it like to live in freedom 

to graduate from highschool 

to get a job, to go to college 

to share a bed with your girlfriend 

What’s it like to know you’ve killed a man are there nightmares, heinous visions 

to know he’ll never see another day 

to know his family will forever miss him 

What’s it like to have commencement 

your career a bright beginning 

to own a home, to propose marriage 

to see the birth of your own children 

What’s it like to watch the decades pass while your only view is fences 

your entire world’s a tiny room 

to know that you may never leave — never 

What’s it like to watch your children grow into adults with their own children 

to feel the pride of your achievements 

to know you’ve done the task you were given

What’s it like I cannot tell you 

it’s the only life I’ve lived in 

all the way from the beginning 

all the way from the beginning