Purple & Gold Passion

By DW

Purple and gold skies
Magnificent
As my heart yearns for more
I close my eyes
Collect my thoughts
Think about my passion for living
Am I living?
Through several windows
And fences
I see
Purple and gold skies
My passion

6 Comments

  1. jonesedm on May 30, 2013 at 8:34 PM

    I really (really) like the way this poem changes the meaning of the purple and gold skies from something that could appear a cliche, but then gets transformed when we realize that the skies can only be seen through a set of several windows and fences, but then gets transformed AGAIN because the passion is still alive, as revealed in the last word of the poem. Very cool.

  2. EmaBeesArt on June 6, 2013 at 10:37 AM

    I absolutely love the imagery in this poem. What a profound and philosophical question – “am I living?” – I think there are different states of living, i.e. living life to the fullest, or just breathing to survive, and everything in between.

    You bring the reader in to your perspective. Everyone can identify with watching a beautiful sunrise or sunset, like you describe in the beginning – we see eye to eye. But then you ask a hauntingly profound question, and explain that you are seeing through windows and fences, then the reader is in there with you. You have brought us there, and allow us to tap into your feelings.

    really fantastic poem – absolutely love it – one of my favorites.

  3. EmaBeesArt on June 6, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    Reblogged this on EmaBee's Art and commented:
    I volunteer with this wonderful group called “Free Minds” that runs a book club and poetry workshop for incarcerated youth in Washington, DC jails. Every fourth Tuesday of the month, we meet at a church near Dupont Circle and review, comment, and critique poetry written by incarcerated youth, as the group motto says, “to write new chapters in their lives.”

    There is some really phenomenal poetry that comes out of the workshop, and this is one of my favorites. If you read it and visit the original blog post, you can see my comments of why I love it….

  4. Mbachur Mbenga on July 2, 2013 at 1:15 PM

    Absolutely phenomenal!
    This is great work!

  5. Lila Weitzner on July 2, 2013 at 1:20 PM

    DW,
    Your poem is absolutely beautiful. This is a perfect example of how someone with a strong command of language don’t need a lot of words to communicate their message. Your poem is simple and short, but it is so powerful. You conjure up very clear images of the sky and the cell. Dropping in the question “am I living” shocked me in a really good way and made me think about what your poem means for awhile. Thank-you for writing and keep at it. I love how you write.

  6. Andre Williams on July 2, 2013 at 4:05 PM

    DW, your poem is very touching, I like that you express your feelings and how you long for your freedom. Be optimistic and continue to learn from your past.

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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.