The Unknown Words of Solitude
By AP
They say I should be used to living in a cage
Because all my life I have been trapped in pain
But if they only knew solitude educated me and kept me from going insane
It’s true that I am a product of my community
And I continue to pray that one day society would stop judging me
And give me equal opportunity
The color of my skin doesn’t speak of who I am
So your insults don’t affect me mentally because I am well educated, talented
And proud of who I am
America can be so cruel and mean
But that has never stopped me from believing in my American dream
Hard times in the ghetto raised me to be mentally and emotionally strong
So when they tell me I will never be nothing after prison
It only motivates me to prove them wrong
I know that life after prison can be a success
Especially if I continue to be determined to succeed and have faith in myself
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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.
Dear AP,
I am so proud of you for writing and working hard towards your goals. You are more than your past and where you were raised. I believe in you and your dreams. Keep writing poems, I would love to continue reading them. Sending you warmth and light,
Arina
This poem speaks to me. I am one of the ones that are helping those that are getting out. I help them find a job. So there is hope for you that there are others like me out there helping. I love your poem. It shows hope and a change in mindset that will make your successful. Good luck. Keep writing!!
This is an inspiring poem! I’m glad to hear that you wont let others judge you because your proud of who you are. I feel that is something everybody struggles with. If you believe in your self and work hard, success is always around the corner. Thank you for this great poem.
AP,
It’s great how you turned solitude — which can be seen as such a negative thing — into something positive that helped you evolve as a person. It goes to show that a lot of things in life can change based on perception. You have a way with words that can move readers, like it moved me. Awesome poem and I look forward to you proving your naysayers wrong!
“solitude educated me and kept me from going insane” is a really clever line, especiallly as it turns on its head the idea that solitude itself is always harmful. If you can manage such intense isolation and thrive, how much better will you be able to adjust to freedom!
Great poem, Be the change!
You will fulfill you American dream! Your words are very inspiring and powerful. Thank you for sharing and I hope you continue to write.
AP,
Thank you for sharing your work with us. I admire your determination to succeed.You acknowledge the injustice in society, yet you don’t let your obstacles knock you down. Continue to hold on to your faith and motivation.
Keep writing!
Your poem is very inspiring and I feel hope from it. I also FEEL your strength and courage from reading your words. And it also makes me want to say to you that I’m sorry America is mean, and I’m sorry for all the pain you have gone through. You have so much to offer this world, and I wish you so many blessings and know that people like me are rooting for you all the way! Continue to be strong! The world needs more people like you!
Dear AP,
Thank you for writing and sharing this poem. The rhyming lines throughout made your message even more powerful. I really enjoyed the hopefulness and self confidence you conveyed through your lines. I was really impressed by the attitudes of resilience and pride that you expressed in this poem, and I hope you continue to carry that forward with you. I like that you recount the experience of growing stronger despite obstacles and end with a confident and forward-looking statement. Thanks again for sharing– this poem reminded me to be proud and bolster my own pride going forward.
Best,
JM
This poem is so inspiring! I love the message behind this beautiful writing. This poem brings up the hardships of growing up in a low-income community, which in and of itself is a huge issue and topic. This poem also sheds light on the stigma of life after incarceration, which is also a huge issue that needs to be addressed more. I love that this poem radiates hope and determination. The fact that this author is taking the negative comments of others and using it as motivation to better themselves is so great! This poem is a gentle reminder that if you put your mind to it, truly anything is possible. Keep up the great attitude!
Hi there!
This poem was truly moving to me. As a college student majoring in psychology so that one day I can help people, it saddens me that so many people are judged for the entirety of their lives due to mistakes made at one point. While I truly believe that when a person has made a mistake that honesty, accountability, and responsibility are so crucial and important and are the key to growth, I also believe that the only person that can judge if you’ve been honest with yourself and others or if you’ve taken accountability or responsibility for a mistake that you’ve made, is yourself. The mindset that matters is your own, and anyone who doesn’t know the full story, cannot judge. I feel that for everybody in life, we all come across situations where others have an opinion of who we are, what we should be doing, etc. It’s important that like you, that possible judgement gives us the motivation to grow and to learn and to change. That positivity and that mentality is very important. Thank you for sharing!
Hi AP,
This poem was a joy to read! The first stanza is so powerful. I love how you speak about experiencing things that others thought would break your spirit, but in actuality, they granted you strength. This entire poem shines with your strength. It’s not easy to not be affected by false messages of inferiority, especially when living in a country that upholds that “inferiority” systemically, but you know those messages are false. You have such a grasp on your self-worth that they don’t shake you, and that’s beautiful to see. You’re absolutely right that your determined, self-aware attitude will grant you success in the future!