Ma You Told Me
Ma you told me don’t be dumb
Ma you told me to go to school
Ma you told me don’t get locked up
Ma you said do what I got to do
That’s why I love you Ma
Now I’m locked up thinking about what you said
What you told me not to do
And I didn’t listen
Because I’m locked up Ma
And I didn’t do s***
Ma I like to see you smile not cry
Ma that f***** up I got you going
Back and forth to court
Ma you told me I’m not no bad son
Ma you know when I come home I’m not coming back here
Ma I do not want to sit over 1901 no more
Ma all I do while I’m in here is think about all the
S*** you told me
Ma I know you missing days off from work
Ma you told me about my dumb ass friend
Ma that’s why I love you
Ma you always told me some good s***
Ma you told me I could be something in life
Ma you told me you want me to do right
But Ma take me by my word
That I’m going to do right
Ma you told me to do all the good and not the bad
Ma you told me you do not want to see me locked up
Ma you told me
3 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.
Thank you! I like the repetition, rhythm, and honesty of this poem. The reference to the dumb ass friend makes me wonder if he or she would be a good subject for your next poem. I hope you keep writing!
This poem nearly made me cry. I would like to hear a poem where you talk more about, “Ma all I do while I’m in here is think about all the S*** you told me.” You know? Because this poem is about your mom, and regret, and hope, and reflection on the past, present and future, but a poem about the things your mom told you would be even more specific, and help you and your audience understand even further what you are going through and how you relate those things mom told you to your current situation. Keep on writing!
The repetition brings out the emotion in this poem! I really enjoy the writing in this poem thank you for writing!
I don’t know what else to say but this poem has me thinking for sure! I’m sorry you and your family have had to endure this and I hope things get better!
~JP