Please Know Me

Hello, this is Karen. I’m recovering from surgery still and feeling a little rough. Today I wanted to share a poem. It may give a little insight to who I am and others. We’re not all hard criminals, we’re some who made tragic mistakes that a system in Kentucky and around the U.S. that don’t want to recognize growth, maturity, restoration and redemption.

This poem is titled “Please Know Me”.

My name is Karen, born in a small town

When I was young, hardly remember a frown

I started school and did really well

Even entered spelling bees often the best to spell

I began to play several different sports

Found out I had talent, on the courts

4 years of high school, made all A’s, one B

I wanted to make something of my self you see

So I went to Centre College from 1982 to ‘84

Quit in my junior year, gave up on even more

I left my small little town moved to the city

Gave up on myself, and wallered in some self-pity

I moved in with my sister, slept on the floor

Began to dream and out of life want more

I tried to find a job that paid good money

But I kept hearing you didn’t finish college, you’re not qualified honey

I worked small jobs and made some friends

I gave into peer pressure and my morals did bend

I began to use drugs because they said it was cool

I looked in the mirror and saw a big fool

One night I found myself in a terrible place

I saw a man killed while seeing his face

I was arrested, had a trial and in the courts convicted

In the middle of a nightmare that was partially self-inflicted

I should’ve given my life like in John 15:13

But I was a coward using drugs and the killer was really mean

The trial was turned into a circus

Prosecution didn’t care about truth or real focus

I been in prison a long 40+ years

Very little laughter and most days there’s tears

But I’ve grown up from age 21 to 62 behind this fence

I’ve learned the value of life and a lot of common sense

I’ve done my best to make up from my young mistakes

Been restored, redeemed and helped others put on brakes

To make better decisions and positive choices

I thank prison radio and others for giving our rehabilitated voices.

As recorded by PrisonRadio.org Commentary Please Know Me, February 27, 2026