Penitentiary Blues
By DP
Outcasted by society, looked down upon by peers
Abused by opinion, too afraid to face fears
Wants to be accepted, while invites get rejected
Resolution to my problem, still can’t figure out its Methods
Not counting days, but yet, the years
Racism, Hatred, it hurts and always seems to bring tears
Corrupt a good heart, was doomed from the start
Home is the finish line. But I’m stuck in a jar
Shaken and rattled, hope it won’t tear me apart,
My life, it matters and pride would leave you scared.
Confused by perception, Manipulated By ego
Silence is solitude, and peace is gone way out the window
How could the humble be meek, in a den full of lions
Don’t shade my light or Try to keep it from shining
I dream of the duty, I finally could put this all behind me
Life lesson Learned that I wish on nobody.
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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.
This poem is so chilling. I really loved the line ‘Confused by perception, Manipulated By ego’! It really encompasses how the mind can be such a confusing place and can skew our views on a situation if left unchecked. I also liked the line ‘wants to be accepted, while invites get rejected’ because I feel like I can relate to that feeling of yearning for the approval of others, but not allowing yourself to be in a situation to receive that approval. Very beautiful poem! Thank you for sharing!
DP this poem describes your situation powerfully and emotionally. For the reader of this poem it sheds light on what you are dealing with both inside your mind and inside the penitentiary. The cadence and rhythm of this poem along with how you capitalize certain words is also creative and put to good effect. Please keep up the writing!
The title alone made my heart swell. I felt every word. Such a blessed author to be able to bring together meaningful words. I love what you are doing and appreciate you.
This poem captures the deep struggle of feeling outcast and misunderstood, painting a vivid picture of pain and resilience. The imagery of being trapped and shaken conveys a powerful sense of frustration, while the longing for acceptance and the desire to shine through adversity resonate strongly.
This is a really touching poem! I think that it shows the feelings of such great emotions in such a vulnerable state. My favorite part of the poem was My life, it matters as it is such a stark contrast to the other emotions in the poem and I really do agree with this line. Hope youre having a great day!
This moving poetry effectively captures the hurt of being rejected. It profoundly captures the battle for acceptance and the need for belonging through its genuine emotion and striking images.
This poem poignantly captures the struggles of feeling outcast and marginalized within society. The speaker expresses a profound sense of isolation and rejection, highlighting the emotional toll of being judged and misunderstood by others. Lines like “Abused by opinion” and “Wants to be accepted, while invites get rejected” reflect a deep yearning for connection, yet a painful recognition of the barriers that exist.
Your poem shows how one incarcerated, can feel emotion whilst reflecting on prior actions. Of all the the negative thoughts that may occur to someone viewing someone in prison, this shows that some strive to do better, learning from lessons learned, and will do everything to prove that they can and will do better and show the motivation through dedication to defeat all the stereotypes that may be used to describe prisoners. That shows through in “don’t shade my light or try to keep it from shining” is evidence that you plan to excel in your future endeavors to become a better person.
You really have a way with words. Some of my favorite lines were “abused by opinion,” “home is the finish line,” and “how could the humble be meek, in a den full of lions.” Keep writing, you are amazing!
Thank you for this poem, it was a very moving poem that discussed the different issues and injustices people today have to face.
this is a compelling and heartfelt piece that effectively explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the struggles faced within society.
This is a great deception of the issues of the prison system, and a good deception of the experience of a prison lifestyle. The writing is also super great, and the metaphors in this really stuck out to me.
Your poem is really touching and full of emotion. It shows the pain of feeling left out and misunderstood by others. The way you describe being “stuck in a jar” and “shaken and rattled” really makes the reader feel the struggle. Despite all the challenges, there’s a strong sense of hope and a wish for acceptance.Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt piece.
Your poem is incredibly powerful and evocative. You’ve captured the deep emotions and struggles of feeling outcasted and misunderstood with such raw honesty. The imagery you use, like being “stuck in a jar” and “a den full of lions,” really brings your feelings to life. It’s a poignant reflection on resilience and the hope for a better future. Great job!
Your feelings and experiences are valid. It is always important to keep hope.
Your poem is beautiful and touching. You articulate your feelings so well! It is heartbreaking how society treats individuals unforgivingly. I can tell you are a light – keep on writing!
Your poem conveys the pain of rejection, isolation, and the struggle for self-acceptance. The raw emotion and longing for peace are clear, and the closing lines reflect strength in overcoming life’s difficult lessons. It’s a moving reminder of resilience in the face of adversity. Great job!
I really enjoyed reading your work. I think you spoke on things that many people can relate to. Feeling like an outcast, being afraid to face your fears, feeling hatred, etc. I want you to know you are not alone, and so many others go through this as well. I think it is important to recognize that life is beautiful because you can learn many things from it. So take these feelings build on it and learn from it.
This piece carries so much weight—it’s raw and unfiltered, yet full of resilience. It speaks to the struggle of being misunderstood, the fight to hold onto identity, and the hope of overcoming. There’s a quiet strength in these words that’s truly inspiring.
Your poem speaks to the pain of being judged, misunderstood, and rejected. It paints a powerful picture of how society can make someone feel small, but despite all the struggles—racism, hatred, and manipulation—there’s still a fire within that refuses to be dimmed. The journey to self-worth and pride is long and hard, but you show that no matter how tough life gets, the strength to shine is always there. You’ve learned lessons no one should have to face, but those lessons shape your resilience and your refusal to let the world define you. Thank you for sharing such an honest and thought-provoking piece—it’s a reminder that no matter how hard things get, we all deserve to be seen and heard.
This is a beautiful poem. There is a lot of really nice imagery. For example, I could see someone counting the years but not the days. It gave me a sense immediately of how it feels to be in a place where time is elastic, slow but maybe not a useful measure. Rather, “home is the finish line.” The poem overall gave.me a good sense of how you are experiencing life. Thank you for that gift.
Your poem is so powerful. It so clearly and emotionally brings the reader into your mind and your heart. This line “How could the humble be meek, in a den full of lions” hit me the hardest. It highlighted for me how you aspire to show up versus what your environment requires of you to survive.
Please keep writing. This is important work to share.
This poem hold so much meaning, each word used truly has value and leaves such an impact behind. Each verse spoke levels.
Dear D.P,
Your poem resonated deeply with me. I had such a powerful experience reading it, and it beautifully captures the pain of searching for belonging, especially when society casts you aside. The line, “Hatred, it hurts and always seems to bring tears, corrupt a good heart,” stood out to me because it’s so true. There comes a point where the weight of hatred becomes unbearable. The language, rhymes and tone you used throughout this poem made reading it emotional but also intriguing making the poem unforgettable. What struck me most was the shift in tone toward the end, especially the lines, “Don’t shade my light or try to keep it from shining, I dream of the duty.” I thought those lines were really important because it shows your refusal to let others hold you back. It also shows how strong you are to maintain hope and strength in the face of adversity. This poem is a great representation of the need for recognition and justice in a world that defines people by their past mistakes, social status and race. Keep on writing!
From, A.B
Your poem is incredibly powerful and raw, capturing the deep pain and resilience of someone navigating struggles that many might not fully understand. The imagery of being “stuck in a jar” and “in a den full of lions” vividly conveys feelings of confinement and challenge, while your determination to keep shining despite it all is truly inspiring. The honesty in your words resonates deeply, and the life lessons you share are a testament to your strength. Thank you for opening up and sharing such a moving piece.
You did such an amazing job with this poem and the way you described the challenges of hatred in the world. Describing the reality as being “shaken and rattled” is especially poignant and vivid. I also love the phrases you wrote of “manipulated by ego” and “abused by opinion” because they are simple but delivered the message so clearly and strongly. Thank you so much for sharing this!
DP, this was a great poem. I liked how you showed us that the mind can be a confusing place by your figures of speech. I also enjoyed reading your poem and the phrasing and rythme was very good. Keep up the great work!
I hear you. Feeling alone, outcasted, doomed from the start, this could bring anyone the blues. I hope that writing has brought you some sort of solace. I understand needing to have your guard up in a den full of lions, but you can show them the way through being humble. It won’t happen overnight, but I think you have some real insight you can share to help others. I am sorry that you have dealt with racism and rejection. I hope you see, through the comments here, that your words have touched others and you continue to share your thoughts. We accept you.
The line “Confused by perception, Manipulated By ego” Is so powerful. It sums up the entirety of all of the hatred in our world. Those whoa are different are those who get perceived maliciously all due to the ego of those who fit in to certain standards. well said.
This is a very dense poem, but I fell something everyone can relate to. Very well written!