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Poetry Submitted by Prisoners
Life Behind Bars[top]
by Ernest Baker
Brotherly Love[top]
My closest friend
My life long brother
Who means the world to me,
like no other.
I could not ask,
for anyone better.
A brother that cares
of our time together.
Some fights we've had,
were just for fun.
Has shown each other,
Together we're one.
This world has given us,
some time apart.
Just remember my brother,
your always in my heart.
Creating our bond,
that can not be broken.
Although some have tried,
but were very mistaken,
Just remember my brother,
that I love you so.
It's the end of the poem,
so it's time to go.
I Don't Know Why[top]
I don't know why
Grown men still refuse
to cry.
Holding on to the pain
that the father before felt
and providing tomorrow's youth
with a whole lot of abuse
Generation after Generation
a myriad of stereotypes
about the real man, who
we still don't understand
I don't know why!
Is it to late
to celebrate?
There is no more sand
in the hour glass.
Young men enter the prison
and old men may leave,
eventually
Life moves on slowly
while memories fade rapidly
as we search for an answer
to what is known as fate.
I don't know why!
I just know
I'm not
ready to die.
Bay State Correctional Facility
Norfolk, MA
Listen to My Soul[top]
Did you ever hurt?
Or feel deep inner pain?
Bottled up with a million tears,
Tears that cannot cry—
Yet weeping silently in the dark,
To afraid to sleep;
Or turn the lights…
On because of a deep inner fear,
That something or someone…
Is watching you in the darkness,
Of the lonely cell.
Cells that ostracize you…
From the outer world…
Filled with lonely dreams,
That never materializes.
Have you ever existed in a world,
Full with sadness and loneliness…
With nightmares that hounds –
Your soul.
Have you ever reached out?
And grabbed nothing but cold air??
That freezes your very finger tips?
Have you ever reached for death,
But was afraid to die…
In the bitter loneliness of the night;
Where your thoughts were many –
Confusing ideas that drifted –
In the hollowness of the universe…
Where stars shine and the moon –
Illuminates the darkness.
Have you ever suffered…
The torment s of man made hell?
Have you ever longed to “Love”,
And be loved, but, all you received –
Was broken dreams…
That separates loneliness and heartaches …
To extremes that has shattered
Your world…
And blinded your path.
Have you ever lived from day to day?
In disgrace? Because someone,
Convinced you that you were—
Nothing more than an element??
Under someone else’s control? .
Have you ever been “condemned?”
By society or labeled an inmate?
With no soul? For hundreds of years.
These are my songs,
These are my thoughts.
This is my world.
A world that some to an end,
Before it began with “hard times,”
Bad luck and misfortunes.
Have you ever existed in a “cage?”
Weeping silently because you…
Were “innocent, without sin?”
Suffering years of injustice,
Watching other souls bleed;
Dying without a breath of life.
Have you ever reached for a friend?
Who wouldn’t betray you?
For 30 pieces of silver?
That is stained with blood,
Sweat and tears…
Dripping for countless years.
Have you ever been defeated,
By those you “trusted”…
Spbed in the back,
By your brother or sister…
Robbed out of your kindness ,
Sold into poverty and sin…
Stripped out of your honor and glory;
Forsaken by those “pretending to be…”
God’s chosen children of righteousness,
Is there anyone who can hear my cry?”…
Is there anyone who can feel my pain?
I used to think that this side of hell,
Was nothing but a bad dream…
Until I discovered that I wasn’t sleeping.
I as dying over and over again,
Crushed by “prison bars”…
This is my soul…
LISTEN TO MY SOUL.
- Dr. Richard Sunday Ifill
Solid[top]
The feelings of defeat is destruction of pride,
sealed as concrete through the unchained mind.
Misunderstood by many, recognized by all
Destined to make it. Over plan those that fall.
Strong constitution, uncrackable like a diamond rose.
Knowledge my power as my conscious unfolds.
steal as a stiff iron as my thoughts.
Wise man and foolish world as at a face off.
Standing on integrity from souls of roots.
Silhouetted off my reflection as the unknown fruit.
Only pictured in prison, speaking the unspoken.
The grounds of a man solid by the unbroken.
Far Away Still Friends[top]
COULD IT BE | THE ROAD OR THE SKY | THE THOUGHTS IN MY MIND
| WHY I CAN'T SEE YOU HERE | WE ARE FAR AWAY STILL FRIENDS | COULD IT BE | THE MOON OR THE STARS | MY EYES IN THE DARK | WHY I CAN'T SEE YOU HERE
| WE ARE FAR AWAY STILL FRIENDS | FRIEND'S WITH NO PHONE | A STAMP NO ENVELOPE
| YOU WILL ALWAYS KNOW | WE ARE FAR AWAY STILL FRIENDS | 2 PIECES FOR A PUZZLE | US WAITING AT THE TABLE ONE DAY COMPLETE THE RIDDLE | STILL IN ALL
| WE ARE FAR AWAY STILL FRIENDS | LEFT TO RIGHT | FAR AWAY OUT OF SITE
| COMMUNICATION WE WISH | STILL IN ALL | WE ARE FAR AWAY STILL FRIENDS
| SET APART LIKE TWINS | LONG DISTANCE BECAUSE FRIENDS
| WE ARE FAR AWAY WE WILL ALWAYS STILL BE FRIENDS
Dedicated to Lucy Parsons.
Your Future Together[top]
The frog in a well cannot discuss the ocean,
Because of his limited size and the size of the well.
A summer fly cannot discuss the snow,
Because it knows only its own season they tell.
When you start to see your own inferiority,
As you swim in the ocean or sit on the mountain high top.
It is now possible to discuss the great priniciples,
concepts, perceptions, and realities of life that don't stop.
Under the Heavens there are no greater waters,
Than the ocean as a thousand rivers flow into it.
The ocean has never known to stop,
And it's capacity cannot be determined or defined to it.
Life comes and goes from Heaven and Earth,
It quickly passes and appears again forever.
Books pour forth knowledge and wisdom,
Yet that brings understand to put your future together.
Malia's Song[top]
No one heard my cries / No hand wiped the tears from my eyes / I just wanted to be hugged more and hit less / I'm Sorry Mommy I didn't mean to make you upset / I was hungry / I won't do it again / NO / Please make him stop / Why don't you love me like you do him / is it because I've been a bad girl again / ...
It is over now I'm in my daddy's arms / No more pain / No more harm / a place where angels play / I know no hunger or sorrow / I no longer fear tomorrow / I can write my name in the clouds and ride the rainbows / Finally I know peace...
The only thing that I ask / is that you who read this learn from the past / If you see me in another child please act / Be their voice and hands / alone they can't / But with you they can / and please don't worry for now I am home / May the tears that fill your eyes be for the child who is afraid to cry / and not your own / SMILE / My fragile body of my flower lives on / My name is Malia and this is my song...
(Note from Nick: "Malia was a malnourished little girl who was beaten to death by her mother's boyfriend because she was caught stealing some yogurt. Please stop the abuse. I am a child abuse advocate. Prison is filled with abused children...Prevention is the cure. Please help. They only want to be loved and hugged.")
Nick Rudd - Butner, NC
Hey, Why Not?[top]
I'm hiding from my own self-esteem.
To scared to follow my dream.
Afraid of my own reflection.
I'm wanting so bad to look in the other direction.
I'm clueless to so many things,
Especially what tomorrow brings.
What feelings will I have to face.
What memories will I try to erase?
I'm becoming far too weak to stand on my own two feet.
I'm hoping these 'footprints' in the sand and I are able to one day meet.
Who is it that's carrying me through my path of destruction?
Why can't I follow a simple instruction?
What truth can I seek when I've been living a lie?
Bitter and angry. Helpless and hopeless, as wasted days pass me by.
Knowing what's real and still I ask, "Why"?
Why is it so hard, to take a look in my own backyard?
Lord knows I have no clue,
But it's something I must do,
Hey, why not try something new!
Change
Years of tears
Chains and pains
The key is a sign to unlock the brain
Eminence of power
Messages of change
The symbol of America
may seem strange
The eve of a new era
is definitely at hand
The impossible can be
accomplished if you can
see it, and understand
Angels[top]
The reason why beautiful angels
Have such huge and graceful wings
Is to spread their immaculate sacred love
That only to us they can bring
They're silent and sometimes invisible
On both our side or from behind
To protect us from wrong doing
That can only come to our minds
But sometimes they get too busy
And that's when we go astray
Knowing in their loving hearts
We need to learn things along the way
I know I left for a short while
As temptation and witchery came along
She taught me what was right
But when I left I did the wrong
She finally caught up with me
And knew just how she could
Bring me back to the wonderful life
That is so loved and very good
I bet you didn't know that angels
Are the women in all our lives
For they are our most beautiful mothers
Sisters, daughters and wives
I know you have one of these
Kindly looking over your shoulder
So just be very appreciative
And go hug her and hold her
Face her and tell her
Just how much she means to you
But don't forget the most important
These three words "I love you."
A Better and Brand New Day[top]
Life is not always easy
It gets confusing from time to time
Don't let it take control of you
Just keep an open mind
We all have problems in life
Some just can't be seen
And most of life's problems
Are not as bad as they seem
Just look around you closely
People everywhere are confused
And how it's gonna work out
Really all depends on you
Don't ever give up on life
Stay positive and keep the faith
Cause right around the corner
Is a better and brand new day
