Prisoner of Society
By GD
Sentenced to life with a mandatory 20 years in poverty
Forced to grow and learn the menace way
Pitching stone after stone on the block
Waist heavy, protecting self with a glock
Not knowing I’m someone’s most prized stock
Placed in the ghetto, better known as the PJs
Where we are someone’s biggest project…
Subject to get a death sentence if caught slipping
All because I’m just living
A prisoner of society
Where laws are set by those who stand higher than me
Who are quick to say “by the power invested in me”
When all I desire is to be free
Free from being a prisoner of this society
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The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.
Love this! The writing is so clear and really demonstrates the power of society over others. The prison metaphor is a great way to describe poverty and power. Really powerful! Awesome!
GD,
Whoa. This is some serious social commentary. In addition to the power of what you’re saying, you demonstrating a lot of talent in how you say it.
My favorite part:
“Pitching stone after stone on the block
Waist heavy, protecting self with a glock
Not knowing I’m someone’s most prized stock”
We live in a world where people make their living off taking other people’s freedom, but there’s another side: you. From your writing, I wonder whether you feel like you have any control over the outcome? Is there anything you can do to change the story they would write for you? I hope so. And, I hope whatever it is you need to do, you do it once you get out. What you say is true – the hill is difficult to climb. But, please remember, it can be climbed.
The world needs your words. You can’t let those prison walls hold your poetry captive.
– Mark
Great poem. The imagery demonstrating the parallels between life inside and outside of prison is impressive and paints a vivid picture.
One of my favorite poems on this blog! “Sentenced to life with a mandatory 20 years in poverty …. placed in the ghetto, better known as the PJs Where we are someone’s biggest project…”
These lines capture so much truth in so little of a space. Please keep on writing, we need to be exposed to the fact that so many of our lives are structured so calculatingly. Mostly by people who don’t have our best interests as human beings in mind at all.
Thank you!
I really like the build up of this poem. The rhythm of the first half does a nice job of creating tension. Then the first repetition of the title shifts the tone beautifully from passive to impassioned. And the repetition of the “e” sound rounds out the poem and really emphasizes the message. Great job. Keep writing. I hope you find freedom from society in your own words and the things that only you can say.
The first sentence of this poem is one of the most powerful lines I have ever read. Absolutely incredible poem. Your writing has the power to change the world/society.