I speak to you in Jesus' name

As Jesus speaks through me


The evil we do can't be blamed


Upon our destiny




I have walked through the


Valley of death-row to the shore

I have stumbled through silvery water


To my Savior, my Salvador




It took me four years to learn


I was in prison, not in church


And two more to begin

The book of my soul's search





Time is an ocean of endless tears




A wild boy from the streets of El Barrio


The orphan from the hills of Mayag ez




And when I wrote my story


The words flew from the page

And my soul in solitary


Escaped its iron cage




Time is an ocean of endless tears





Mama, I got your letter today

The next time that you write


I'll be transferred far away




I'm leaving Greenhaven's


Towers of stone


Where the Latin population

Will soon be minus one





Time is an ocean of endless tears




I know how hard it's been

For you these many years




You say the Aguinaldo

Makes you dream of home


Where once we strolled

The beach at El Malecon




Go back, don't you worry

I am your grown up son




The politics of prison

Are a mirror of the street


The poor endure oppression

The police control the state




Correctional of facility

That's what they call this place

But look around and you will see

The politics of race




A forest and a prison

Where the snow and guards are white




If you want to keep your sanity

You'll teach yourself to write




You were a child of sixteen

With a twelve year old mind

You came here numb and battered


By the streets I left behind



I'll take the evil in me

And turn it into good

Though all your institutions

Never thought I could



So, now I'll turn to say goodbye

I'll keep your image in my eye

I turn around to say goodbye

I'll keep your image with me till the day I die



Time is an ocean of endless tears