"Poetry saved my life"

Born in a refugee camp, Cambodian-American Kosal Khiev joined a gang and was imprisoned for 15 years, starting at age 16. While in prison, he discovered spoken word poetry and says it saved his life. He describes his life's journey as a refugee, as a prisoner, and his path to redemption through poetry. Deported to Cambodia in 2011, he also shares his pain at not being able to reunite with his mother and ailing sisters on American soil - a permanent exile in a country he had never lived in. Still in exile, he volunteers at prisons and poetry competitions in Cambodia and around the world. He says he is bringing hope to wounded people like himself, continuing to express his anger, regrets and dreams of reunification with the world.