This poem is written by Michael Smith, a 3-strikes prisoner at Solano State Prison. He has never commited a violent crime, he has been an addict for most of his adult life and is in jail for using fake IDs to buy merchandise he could sell to feed his drug habit. He's no angel, but he's smart and with rehab he could easily be a net asset to society instead of a drain.

We met several years ago when he was doing electrical work, a trade he had learned the first time he went to jail. We lost track and then a couple of years ago I heard from his wife that he was back in jail. Since that time, we stay in touch.

A year or so ago, I sent Mike a copy of Barack Obama's autobiography. He was instantly hooked. I think he identified with a guy who came from circumstances not much better than his own that had a white mom and a black dad, just like Mike. Maybe if Mike had had strong and caring grandparents things could have been different. He sure is smart enough.

Over the past year, Mike's passion has become politics. He follows each and every move and make incredibly insightful comments - often much more so that the blowhard commentators on national TV. This might be the first time in his life that he is totally hooked on something legal and positive.

Within days of Obama's November 4th election win, I received a poem that Mike had written to commemerate this auspicious occasion.

YES WE CAN
BY Michael Smith
Thank you, Mr. President. President Obama, we thank you.
You’ve given us hope and promised change, and we know that’s what you’ll do.

Thank you for proving that anyone could be whatever they wanted to be.
With hard work and determination, dreams become reality.

Thank you for being who you are. Thank you for all you’ve done.
Thank you for reaching out your hand to each and everyone.

Thank you for your sincerity, your inspiration and your style.
In desperate times you eased our minds and gave us reason to smile.

Thank you for diminishing stereotypes and opening up our eyes.
Thank you for understanding and listening to our cries.

Thank you for having a vision. Thank you for having a goal.
Thank you for waking us up as people, and reigniting our souls.

Thank you for your commitment. Thank you for your cause.
Thank you for your drive and compassion, and we know it’s because…

You believe in a great nation. You believe in mankind.
You believe that hate and racism will soon be left behind.

You believe in education, family values and health care.
You believe that we’re all equal and should be treated just and fair.

You believe in civil rights and have made so many proud.
Like JFK and Martin, your voice rings true and loud.

You’ll regulate and deregulate. You’ll delegate and not discriminate.
You’ll cross party lines and open up closed minds, and unite in our fight for freedom.

And somehow you’ll fix the economy,
bring troops back to their families, create new jobs and energy and orchestrate world harmony.

Thank you, Mr. President because we know that’s what you’ll do.
You’re our leader and our savior and we believe in you.

Thank you, President Obama, sincerely your biggest fan.
God Bless America, God Bless you, and I say….YES WE CAN.

Mike has just finished his first semester in college. He likes learning, really likes it. My hope is that before we leave Mike rotting in jail for the next 13 years, we find within our collective souls the ability to treat people with illnesses, including drug addictions, instead of throwing them in jail and throwing the key away. And if we don't discover big enough souls, maybe our deep pockets will shrink enough to bring us to our senses!

I am so proud of you Mike.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive