Though I Am Long Dead
By AW
I shall not cry
or be ashamed
of my past
of my failures
of my hurt
nor of my
pain.
I shall smile
Fly and soar
above the scorn
and rejection.
I shall never
die as in these
poems of mine,
like a lover’s
kiss, for a
thousand years
my words shall
reach millions
of ears, hearts, and minds
though I am
long dead.
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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.
I like how your poem touched on the idea that your poems will be here longer than you are, for countless generations to witness even after you are gone.
I also quite liked the analogy of flying as a way to describe how you ignore the scorn people give you. It is hard to move on from the mistakes that one has made, especially if others judge you for your mistakes.
This poem is a strong and uplifting poem about legacy and resilience.
I love the structure and diction of this poem. It flows very nicely and inspires the reader.
This poem shows a strong will to not let past hurts and failures get you down. Your words about smiling and soaring above rejection are uplifting. The idea that your poems will keep touching people even when you’re gone is really cool and inspiring.
Hi AW, beautiful poem!
This piece shows your resilience, growth, and personal strength. I like the nod to immortality because one’s words can live on much longer than the person who wrote them. Thank you so much for sharing; keep up the good work!
This poem radiates resilience and timeless strength. When you declare “I shall not cry”, it sets a tone of defiance and self-acceptance that resonates powerfully with readers to embrace their own past and pain without shame. Your use of imagery is incredibly uplifting, with lines like “Fly and soar above the scorn and rejection” painting a vivid picture of triumph over adversity. The blend of vulnerability and hope makes this piece deeply inspiring, and is a moving tribute to the human spirit’s ability to rise above and leave an impact. Great work!
I love and greatly appreciate the strong mindset you carry as shown through this poem, and there is a lot other learn from that. It made me realize that we are all ever-changing and growing as people always- you are not your past. You are your future and everything that lies ahead of you, your life is what you make it soon. If there is a will, there is a way, create change and bring love wherever you go!
This poem beautifully reflects the strength of the human spirit, showing how one can transcend even death through words and legacy. The contrast between personal pain and the eventual triumph of living on through poetry is powerful – a great poem!
I felt the freedom and sense of release in your poem, especially in the choice of words like “fly” and “soar.” You remind the reader that all of this is happening when long dead, and yet your hope in the power of writing slices through the sadness. Writing truly does free our spirits and impact people we don’t know. I’m thankful I could experience your poem and I hope that you will continue to make use of writing to feel fully alive.
AW,
I really like your poem because you are owning up to what you did, but I love how you admit you will not be ashamed. I like how you are not going to look back, you are going to continue moving forward. Your poem to me feels like you are accepting what you did and keeping it as a part of yourself, but you will not let it hold you back. This poem is beautifully haunting, and the word choice is amazing, I loved the last stanza “I shall never die in these poems of mine…” I hope for a thousand years your poems are read by others. I hope I get the chance to stumble across more of your poems someday. Do not give up on yourself 🙂
This has a very powerful theme of the impact of your words, how they can outlive you and leave a legacy. The way you describe resilience is very motivating and hopeful, especially the imagery of soaring above rejection. It is extremely inspiring and you capture the lasting impact of writing beautifully.
This poem is a bold declaration of resilience and self-affirmation. The speaker adopts a defiant tone, choosing not to be burdened by past failures or pain. Instead, there’s a determination to rise above societal scorn and rejection, evoking images of soaring like a bird—a classic symbol of freedom and transcendence.
AW, I enjoy how encouraging this poem is. I found the line “I shall not cry or be ashamed of my past” inspiring, as our past does not define us!
This poem is very encouraging. Being able to move beyond your past failures is something that is so hard for me, and something that many people can never do. Having to smile through the pain of rejection is so real. It is something that has been personally hard for me lately, and it is good to see that I am not alone. You are doing amazing, keep sticking your head high.
this is great!
Wow, this really hit me. There’s so much strength in the vulnerability here—it’s like a quiet rebellion against everything that tried to break you. I love how you flipped pain and rejection into something empowering, like rising above it all with grace. The last part gave me chills… the idea of your words living on, reaching people long after you’re gone—it’s so beautiful and true. This poem doesn’t just speak, it echoes.
Thanks for sharing something so real. You are a great poet, keep on writing!
I love this poem! Reflection on the past is such an integral part of life, but regret truly never should be. Thank you for acknowledging the importance in remembering not only your successes, but also your failures. It is important to recognize that! The last stanza of your poem is incredibly impactful, and I truly hope that your words will continue to impact others the way this poem is. Please keep writing!
Your words carry a resilient strength, rising above the past to inspire those who will hear them long after you’re gone. There’s a beauty in your defiance, a promise that even in death, your voice will continue to echo through time.
This poem is so powerful and full of resilience. It speaks to rising above past pain and rejection, refusing to be defined by failures or hurt. The idea of one’s words living on, touching hearts and minds long after they’re gone, is deeply moving. It’s a beautiful declaration of strength, hope, and the lasting power of expression. Beautiful writing!
Your use of imagery really brought the emotions to life—each line felt vivid and powerful.
I thought the message of this poem that literature is eternal was very beautiful and I love the speaker’s outlook on life: they are not scared for death because they know they have built a legacy in their writing/work that will outlive them and that they are proud of. I think more people could embrace this worldview, and this poem was a beautiful way to understand it: this piece is concise and easy to read, but also stylistically engaging with the poet’s use of repetition.
This poem radiates resilience and hope, turning personal pain into a powerful legacy through words. The contrast between suffering and soaring creates a moving emotional arc, especially in the shift from “I shall not cry” to “I shall smile / Fly and soar.” Its final lines are especially poignant, expressing a timeless belief in the enduring power of poetry and voice.
Your words are timeless, filled with power and pride that no cage can contain. Keep writing—your voice will live on, touching hearts and inspiring souls long after the world catches up to your truth.
Your poem is a powerful declaration of resilience, self-worth, and the lasting legacy of your voice. Never stop writing—your truth has wings, and it will continue to rise and inspire far beyond these walls.
Your poem is a beautiful testament to resilience, self-acceptance, and the eternal power of your voice. You’ve turned pain into purpose and transformed your story into something that will live on, touching hearts and opening minds. Keep writing—your words are already flying beyond these walls, building a legacy that proves even in silence, your voice will never be forgotten.
I like the positive outlook of this poem and how it suggests that you can touch people’s hearts even after you’re gone
Your words carry a quiet yet powerful dignity. The poem feels like you are overcoming The opening lines are incredibly affirming: “I shall not cry / or be ashamed” sets the tone healing. The shift from surviving to soaring; “Fly and soar / above the scorn and rejection”is a triumphant image. It evokes freedom, growth, and rising beyond the weight of judgment. You speak not just to yourself, but to anyone who has ever felt the need to hide their pain or feel less than because of their past. Keep writing. Your words have the power to heal and to lift others up.
This poem is a bold affirmation of resilience and legacy, transforming personal pain into timeless power through the enduring voice of poetry.
Hi AW! I think that your poem is strong and full of pride. I admire how you turn pain into power and refuse to let your past define you. The part about your words living on even after you’re gone is beautiful and meaningful. You show that your voice will continue to inspire others for years to come. Very inspiring and I think you did a great job with this poem.
I found this poem incredibly empowering—it speaks to resilience, self-acceptance, and the timeless power of words. The transition from pain to triumph reminded me that our struggles don’t define us, but our voice can transcend them. It’s inspiring to think that even after we’re gone, our truths can still live on and impact others.
This poem radiates resilience and timelessness. The quiet strength in refusing to be ashamed of pain or failure is incredibly moving. I love how you transform personal struggle into something eternal—your words becoming a legacy that outlives the body. The imagery of “a lover’s kiss” and the idea that your poems will live on for “a thousand years” is so beautiful and defiant. It’s a reminder that even in silence or absence, art continues to speak. Truly powerful and unforgettable.
This is so powerful!!! You shall never die in the poems like a lovers kiss! So good! And it’s so true. Your words are powerful and live on. You shall not cry! Thank you for art. I’d love to see more and maybe even an add on imagery of soaring above the scorn of rejection. So powerful.
I really liked your poem! I liked how you talked about how poems last even after you die, leaving behind a legacy for people who come after you.
Wow! This is such a beautiful poem! While reading this I felt as if your words were effortless and they flowed well. It is true you should not be ashamed of your past, failures, hurt, or pain. We are all human, no matter how “perfect” some people make their life seem, we all fail, we all hurt, we all experience pain. That is human nature. And there is no reason to be ashamed of that. Life really is living and learning, and emotion is beautiful. I think emotion means you are not numb, you can feel, and that is really a blessing. I encourage you to not give up. I cannot imagine how hard it must be, but I know just from reading this you have the personality that keeps going. Your words have truly touched me, and reached me in my small little town, so you should be proud of that!
Your poem has managed to wonderfully explain the wish to remain and make an impact even after death. Rising above failure and pain is a deeply powerful message, one especially relevant in order to accept oneself and be at peace. By starting with negative thoughts and then switching to positive ones this idea is really enforced, that you can let go of a negative past. It’s a very beautiful and moving work.
This poem is full of strength and hope. The writer talks about pain and rejection but chooses to rise above it, which shows courage. The ending is especially powerful, expressing how words can live on and inspire people even after we’re gone. The poem has a clear message and flows nicely from beginning to end. Overall, it’s a strong and moving piece about healing, legacy, and the lasting power of poetry.
This really inspires me because it shows that you should not be defined by your struggles or mistakes, you should decide how you go through your day/life.
such a good poem it left me craving more amazing AW.
AW, This poem is a powerful declaration of self-acceptance, resilience, and legacy. It transforms pain into purpose and affirms that your words will outlive you—reaching hearts long after you’re gone. A beautiful and timeless testament to inner strength.
The parallels you used in this poem are the first thing I noticed, comparing the first part of the poem with the second part is a great representation of growth. Having a lasting impact on the world is a great thing to achieve and I feel like you made a lasting impression with the last line “though I am long dead” in the sense that you made your audience think deeper about what you are going to do with your writing, it doesn’t matter, alive or gone but you will reach millions of minds.
I enjoyed reading this poem. It captures the struggle of wanting to forget the past and be the best version of yourself in the present while still feeling stuck in doing so. I hope you know your words matter and you are able to fly and soar someday as you mention in your poem.
This poem radiates resilience, pride, and the eternal power of expression. Your words turn pain into purpose and affirm that your voice—bold, unashamed, and full of truth—will outlive time itself. It’s a timeless reminder that even through struggle, art makes us immortal.
This feels like a poetic will—passing on wisdom, voice, and pride beyond the grave. The idea that your words will outlive you is both beautiful and chilling.
I love this. I see this as a call of reclamation. Of not allowing your circumstances define who you are currently. In life we all make mistakes-some more grand than others, but at the end of the day still mistakes. It is important that as humans with a soul that we continue to rise above our past and use our talents, in this case your poetry, to create art of your situation. Trust your writings/poems will touch the hearts of many even when you leave this realm. Great piece!
This is so beautiful!! <3
This is such a cool concept! I really love your imagery. Its incredibly vivid!
I felt related to your poem. Everyone has a past we are not proud of, we look back at it and have a mixture of feelings, it is not easy leaving it behind, but yes it is necessary, we cannot keep crying and suffering from it. You are a warrior and acknowledging the past is part of healing and growing.
You are leaving and will leave a legacy with your words, don’t even doubt it!
Thank you for reminding me that the past does not define us.
I love the theme of freedom, of living on in your work. It’s absolutely beautiful!
Your poem powerfully conveys a journey from pain to empowerment. The repetition of “I shall not” in the opening lines emphasizes a firm resolve to overcome past hardships. The imagery of soaring above scorn and rejection evokes a sense of liberation and self-affirmation. Ending with the idea that your words will resonate “for a thousand years” suggests a lasting legacy, highlighting the enduring impact of personal expression.
The poem’s structure, with its rhythmic repetition and progression, mirrors the speaker’s transformation. The contrast between past struggles and future aspirations creates a dynamic flow, drawing readers into the emotional journey. Your use of “I shall” instills a sense of determination, while the closing lines inspire reflection on the timeless nature of one’s voice and message
Hi there! Your poem was so powerful, I was on the edge of my seat reading it until the end. It really made me stop and consider what it means to leave a legacy and appreciate the limited moments we have in this lifetime. I liked the flow of your writing, from the title until the last line, the story line was really great. I also liked the diction, the word choice really was the cherry on the top as the specific words added to the value and made it all the more moving. Overall, I definitely took away a lot and I hope you keep writing!
AW this is a good poem. I like the style and format in it. The message is haunting and it has strong similes. Keep up the good writing!
This poem really has a strong sense of feeling and I really felt your feelings as I read through each line. This poem almost makes me feel empowered to let go of my past and just strive to do better in the future.
This poem is moving and full of strength, showing pride in overcoming pain and struggle. I like how it speaks of words living on, carrying love and meaning far beyond a lifetime. It leaves a lasting impression of hope and immortality through poetry.
This poem celebrates resilience in the face of pain and affirms the lasting immortality of one’s words beyond death.
Powerful and unapologetic — you turn pain into promise, and your voice will outlive you.
This is an excellent poem AW, thank you for sharing. I particularly resonate with the first stanza because I also need to remind myself of not being ashamed of feeling. I loved reading your poem and I hope it does reach millions more!
This is haunting and beautiful, the quiet defiance in ‘I shall not cry’ and the promise of words living on long after the body is gone feels timeless. It’s a powerful meditation on pain, resilience, and immortality through art.
Your poem radiates resilience and hope, turning pain into a lasting legacy of strength and inspiration.
The opening lines, with their refusal to feel shame, set a tone of resilience and self-acceptance that frames the rest of the piece. The shift from personal pain to soaring above “scorn and rejection” mirrors a spiritual or emotional ascension, making the closing image, words enduring beyond death, especially moving. The metaphor of the poem as a “lover’s kiss” gives it tenderness amidst its strength, showing how creation can outlast mortality.
I really enjoyed this poem — it felt uplifting and timeless. I like how you turn past pain into strength and resilience, and how your words become a way to live on even after you’re gone. The part about poems lasting like a “lover’s kiss” really stood out to me — it shows how writing can touch people deeply and keep a person’s spirit alive. It reminded me of why poetry is so powerful.
I really like this poem because I like the message that it pushes forward. I feel that it highlights how important our legacy is because after we’re gone that’s all that people will remember us by. It helps us understand that in order to be remembered and honored long term, we must give our all while we’re still living.
This poem is so powerful. I admire the strength in your words, especially the decision not to be ashamed of your past or pain. The shift from pain to soaring above “scorn and rejection” really stands out; it feels like a declaration of freedom and resilience. The final lines about your words living on for “a thousand years” are beautiful and show how writing can give you a kind of immortality. Thank you for sharing something so honest and inspiring.
Thank you for sharing your poem. You are correct, words have the ability to ripple through time and so do the feelings they incite. Our pasts are lessons, they can project us forward when allowed.
This poem is expressing victory found in failure. Even though the scorn and rejection affected the author, It is the fact that the author left a legacy. Even though he is “dead”, he will be remembered through his words. I like how optimistic this poem is.
This poem is both powerful and deeply moving. It speaks to the courage of owning one’s pain, failures, and past without shame, turning what once hurt into a source of strength. The transition from sorrow to triumph smiling, flying, and soaring above rejection reflects a journey of healing and self-acceptance. The final lines carry a sense of immortality, showing how art and words can outlive the artist, continuing to touch hearts and minds for generations. It’s a reminder that even through pain, beauty and meaning can endure.
This poem really stood out to me because it captures the strength that comes from self-acceptance and resilience. The writer refuses to let pain or failure define them, and instead turns that experience into creative power. I like how the ending shifts toward legacy, showing how art and expression can outlive the artist. It feels like a statement about finding purpose through writing and how poetry can give someone a kind of immortality through the emotions it leaves behind.
This poem radiates strength and immortality through art. It transforms pain into purpose, showing resilience and pride in survival. The tone is both triumphant and eternal—asserting that even in death, one’s voice and truth live on. It feels like a quiet anthem of endurance and legacy.
Hey AW! While reading this poem, I could sense the self-growth that you have been through. I like how you acknowledge that you did something wrong in the past, and instead of hiding it, you are embracing it as part of your character. To learn from it, rise above it, and still be able to smile. I think your ending is powerful and thought-provoking, and allows the reader to really do their own self-reflection.
This is a strong and inspiring poem. You do a great job showing pride and confidence in who you are, even after facing pain and rejection. The message about rising above your past and leaving a lasting impact through your words is powerful and meaningful. I especially like the line “I shall smile, fly and soar above the scorn and rejection.” It shows growth and freedom, and it connects beautifully to the ending where your poetry keeps your spirit alive “though I am long dead.” That ending gives the poem a sense of hope and immortality.
Wow. This poem is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. You’ve really captured the raw emotions of feelings that people have when love is high, times are challenging, and it really captivates expression. I love how you’ve added different emotions to different parts of your poem.
This feels like acceptance and freedom at the same time. The shift from pain to purpose is subtle but powerful.
I really like this one. It’s honest and simple but still hits hard. The part about not being ashamed of the past feels real – like you can tell they’ve actually lived it.
Though I Am Long Dead is graceful, introspective, and timeless. It reads like a poet’s quiet oath — to endure, to rise above pain, and to live forever through language. The restraint in its tone gives it remarkable power. With a few rhythmic refinements, it could easily stand as a piece worthy of performance or publication.
I love the resilience you show here. It’s so important to live without regrets or shame, a message you begin your poem with. You turn pain and past struggles into a legacy of strength and self-expression, and your words carry a timeless confidence that will no doubt inspire others.
I love how you turn pain and past struggles into strength and resilience. The way you say your words will live on long after you’re gone is beautiful; it feels like a promise that your voice matters and will inspire others. Seriously, keep writing, your courage and honesty shine through every line.
This poem captures perfectly what it is like to leave a legacy after you are gone. The words mesh so well together and I love the way this was expressed.
Hi AW! This poem shows how you rise above pain and past struggles with strength and pride. You show a belief that your words and your voice will live on, even beyond your lifetime. You show powerful hope in the idea that your poetry can touch hearts long after you’re gone. Great job on this poem, I can’t wait to hopefully read more of your work!
This poem carries a powerful sense of resilience and legacy. Your words transform pain into strength and show how creativity can outlive the body. The idea of your voice enduring beyond your lifetime is both moving and deeply inspiring.
Your poem carries such powerful strength and dignity. The way you turn pain into legacy is beautiful, and your confidence in the lasting impact of your words feels deeply moving. It’s a reminder that truth and creativity live on long after we’re gone.
This is so good! I love that you’re saying you’re not going to be ashamed of everything you’ve done or been through! There is no shame in struggling or making mistakes, and I loved that you highlighted that in your poem!