Free Mind
By TL
I got a Free Mind, full of lots of thoughts and ideas
My body locked up in the pen, but my mind is not here
I know I’m finally coming home at the end of the year
Every time I think about it, my eyes almost shed a tear
I can’t wait to ride foreign, push start, switchin gears
Nice clothes on my body, diamond studs in my ears
Only focused on my future, leave the past in my rear
It used to be a little foggy, now my future seem clear
Coming back to the system, only thing that I fear
I wanna make my mother proud, keep her from shedding a tear
I learnt some lessons on my own, some things I ain’t wanna hear
They left me froze up in a police light, stuck like a deer
19 Comments
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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.
Making your parents proud can be hard and seem impossible at times but you are making your mom proud. You are focused on your future and being a better person and moving forward and that is amazing. You’re excitement for what the future holds for makes me so excited for your future and proud of you for leaving the past behind and moving forward to make a better life for yourself and making your mom proud. This poem was very well written and touching, I wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.
TL, this is a wonderful, rhythmic poem about your experience in prison. I especially love the line, “I wanna make my mother proud, keep her from shedding a tear,” because I too want to make my own mother proud of me. You have a bright future in writing and seem to be a lyrical expert. This poem would sound great with a beat behind it as well! Keep your mind free and continue to write.
I think this is a really nice poem, and I love the thematic elements you’ve poured into it. You show the value and strength in reflection and how that can benefit our perspective on the future. I think the optimism and hope is exceptionally beautiful but those emotions are truly what carries us through life and you’ve articulated that in a meaningful and personal way.
TL,
I love the image of driving you imply throughout the poem. You mention switching gears, looking in the rearview, lights, and fog. Your life has momentum and I am so happy you are starting fresh. Keep writing and I wish you the best of luck!
KC
This is very insightful!
This is a great poem! Your poem truly made me feel the emotions behind this. I think this is very important and shows your progress. Even when our past is rough or hard, we can always find the good. Keep writing and doing your best. Your poem is amazing!
I love this poem, and I especially love how each line of the poem rhymes. It is very difficult to do this with a decent-sided poem, and you have executed it really well. I think this poem shows me that you have the right mindset and that you are on the right track to succeed and turn your life around. I feel a sense of happiness for you even though I do not know you, which is very good. Keep up the great work!
I really enjoyed the first line as I think you were referring to “I got a Free Mind” as implying to the organization. You had a really good flow and rhythm so it was very enjoyable to read. It must be tricky being in that situation; no one wants to see their mother hurt. I enjoy how you are acknowledging your actions by stating you learned lessons, as everyone needs to in order to grow and change. You are very hopeful, sounds like you are going to be having a bright future, and living lavishly.
Hello TL, the poem you wrote was very warming. The word choice, and rhyming was really a nice touch. Throughout your words here you show growth and demonstrate having a strong mind set. The way you can admit your scared to make the same mistakes twice, and that you only want to learn from them, and showed that you have learned from them means you did what you needed to do throughout your time in prison! And I’m so happy for you. I bet your mother is proud of you, just seeing how far you’ve come you should be proud of yourself. We hold so much weight on our shoulders, and never give ourselves a break or enough credit for the things we do and accomplish. Keep your hopes high, you can do anything you put your mind too. I know anything life decides to throw at you next, you’ll overcome it! Thank you so much for sharing this poem!!
I wish you the best! – Aaliyah.
I’m glad your getting to go home at the end of the year as a better person who has learned some lessons. Your writing told us how you felt and how important being free is. Not to mention how being confronted by police is. It is a common fear we all have but I can imagine being behind bars makes you even more scared of them.
TL I had to pick your poem because of the symbolism you have written into this and I just love it. I saw that part where you are a locked up pen full of ideas and I just had to read the whole thing. In all of the poems that I have read about my favorite part would have to be I can’t wait to ride foreign, push start, switching gears. I hope you do continue to write and I cant wait to read it in the future.
The freedom of your mind compared to the freedom of your body’s depicted through your poem is interwoven beautifully. The emotion you feel wanting your mom to be proud, shows just how much she means and how important she is to you. Your imagery is so powerful and visceral.
TL,
I see you are in a tough spot as of right now, but it is nice to read that you are looking forward to the future. You say how it felt unclear before, and that you now have a clear image for the future more so than ever. That is amazing growth and change and you should feel proud of that. I admire that you would like to leave the past and the past and only look forward from here, while also keeping in mind the lessons you have learned in your stay here. I believe in you to make your mother proud when you are released, you remember how it felt and feels to be in this situation, which shows me you have the motivation and strength to keep your positive change. I wish you the best of luck when you are released and get to have all the things you miss again.
I love that you are looking up despite what happened to you. You are so close to the end and can tell that you know you have earned it.
This poem is compelling. It is excellent that you have a path to set on after you gain freedom. You want to do better, and it shows
I love the rhythm! This poem symbolizes many of your ambitions, from personal goals to your drive to make people around you proud. Well written!
I loved this poem. It shows that you’ve learned from your mistakes and are willing to look towards the future. I wish you the best of luck when you are released.
Hi! I love how you mentioned making your mom proud, I relate to that a-lot. I love making my mom proud its the best feeling ever. I also love how you relate the websites name “free minds” in your poem, very creative
I hope you get to drive cars and shift the gears and eat good food and dress however you want! good luck!
I love the contrast between physical and mental beings. I love the line, “…but my mind is not here.” I pray that your fear diminishes and that you make your mother proud. Keep your strength and optimism. I love that you have your eyes set on the future. The past is in the past. Don’t let it define you!