Waiting
By DA
I’m waiting for a decision from the judge,
which could come any day,
I feel like it’s been longer than 31 and a half years,
More like forever and a day.
But my lawyer tells me my time is near,
But I wonder if she’s being real or just faking?
I wish my time would come on then,
Because damn, I’m tired of waiting.
It seems I’ve been waiting all my life,
Let’s get these wheels in motion,
It’s like waiting for a ship to sail,
Even though it’s not in the ocean.
But I can tell my time is coming,
I can feel it in my bones,
I just got to wait a little longer,
Because by patiently waiting I’ll make it home.
So I wait.
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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. Please keep your comments encouraging; we recommend focusing on how the poem makes you think, feel, or reflect. 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 enjoy this and the Motion it portrays.
I truly feel as though you conveyed this emotion so beautifully. It truly made me feel for you. Great poem!
This is a beautiful piece. You really express the struggles and the limbo-like experience of waiting for trial. I hold nothing but hope for you.
Your poem captures the ache and persistence of waiting, especially for something as life-defining as a judge’s decision. It feels as though each line conveys that heavy yet hopeful push-and-pull between doubt and the conviction that an answer is coming. The repetition of time as something painfully slow yet almost within reach is powerful—you’ve managed to show how waiting itself becomes a weight that presses on your spirit, but also, in the end, a way to reclaim hope. It’s like you’re suspended between despair and resilience, holding on to every sign that your time is coming, that relief will arrive if you can endure just a little longer.
There’s also something deeply universal here: we all know what it’s like to wait for the unknown and to question whether those we trust are giving us hope or just delaying the inevitable. But the resolve you show—to stay patient, to keep holding on—turns the act of waiting into something more active, more purposeful, and even courageous. Thank you for sharing this—it’s a reminder of how waiting, for all its hardships, can become its own journey, one that sometimes leads us to a new sense of strength and closeness to home.
Thank you for sharing, I hope the time passes you by quickly.
I enjoyed reading this poem, it shows your desire to finally be released into the free world. Through this dreadful time period of patiently waiting you don’t feel that this is real and your aware that by waiting you’ll make it out and back home.
That’s a really heartfelt piece. Waiting can be so tough, especially when so much is on the line. Your words capture the frustration and hope perfectly. Hang in there; it sounds like you’re close to getting the resolution you need.
such a wonderful write. I appreciate the gentle rhyme and imagery taken up by the poem itself.
To a much lesser degree I’m sure, I believe I do still understand this feeling. The sense of waiting for something to come, wanting it to arrive whether it helps or hurts me just so I can start working past it.
I like the honesty you show in this poem. It clearly comes from a meaningful experience in your life and it makes it very impactive.
This is a very impactful poem. The way you articulate your thoughts makes the reader feel your sense of longing. The last line reinforces how long you have had to wait, along with the title of the poem. You are great at writing, keep going!
Your poem beautifully captures the tension between hope and frustration. The imagery of waiting for a ship to sail is powerful and relatable. I can feel the strength and determination in your words.
Hello DA, I pray you will be released soon!
Your poem beautifully captures the frustration and hope that comes with waiting. The emotion is so real, and I love how you convey both the exhaustion and the sense that something good is on the horizon. Your patience, even through the struggle, is inspiring. I hope the wait is worth it and brings you the peace you’re seeking. Great job!
I really enjoyed reading your poem. Your last stanza really got to me. I read it almost like you’ve been running a race for so ling, and you are almost to the finish line. You used your words beautifully and I can see that you really do have a talent.
DA, some days feel like forever. Some minutes feel like weeks. You and I don’t know each other, but what I do know, is you are someone who loves. It can be hard to love during tough times. It can be hard to think you are loved by others. Keep your head up and keep loving. Keep dreaming. Keep praying. Keep writing. I wish you the best.
That’s beautifully written, and it really captures the weight of anticipation and hope. Hang in there—sounds like you’re holding onto a strong sense of perseverance, and that’ll carry you through.
Thank you for sharing this heartfelt and honest poem. Your words paint a vivid picture of patience, hope, and resilience. It’s not easy to keep waiting, especially when the stakes are so high, but your determination and belief in better days ahead are inspiring. I admire how you’ve expressed the struggle of time passing—it’s something many people can relate to, in their own ways. You’re not alone in this journey. Remember, every step forward, no matter how small, brings you closer to that brighter day. Stay strong, and know there are people rooting for you and your voice. Your words have power—they reach beyond walls, connecting you to a wider community that hears you and cares.
Your poem really hit me. I can feel the weight of what you’re going through in your words, and it’s clear how much strength it takes to keep holding on. I just wanted to say that your writing makes an impact—it’s raw, honest, and powerful. Keep sharing your story because it’s worth hearing, and I hope you find moments of peace even in the waiting.
Your poem does a great job of showing the struggle and emotions of waiting, especially in such an important moment. The way you repeat “waiting” makes the feeling of time dragging very real and relatable.
I liked the line, “It’s like waiting for a ship to sail, / Even though it’s not in the ocean.” It paints a clear picture of feeling stuck and wanting to move forward but unable to.
The last stanza is hopeful, especially “By patiently waiting I’ll make it home.” It shows your strength and belief in better days ahead. Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt piece—seeing hope shine through is inspiring.
I loved this poem. It made me feel the constraints of serving time, it relayed the frustration of not knowing if you’re being told the truth and the longing of recognition that you’ve served your time and are ready. You show you have the gentleness of being hopeful, and you have the desire and drive to manifest your freedom. The last line about patience is so beautiful and wise it touched me deeply. You gave me a charge and the positivity to get through my own difficult times I’m experiencing. Keep writing you’re wonderful at it.
Hello! I really like the theme of waiting. I think it was interesting how you brought up the idea that you aren’t exactly sure how long you are waiting for– it could be any day. This adds an interesting dynamic to the concept of waiting and kept me engaged as a reader. Keep up the great work!
I can really feel this person’s desire to be free and how much emotion they have built up about their time incarcerated. They really emphasize the virtue of patience and how this waiting game will be successful in the end.
This poem is so eye opening and it tugs at my heart. 31 and a half years is a long time. Your comparison to a ship and the ocean is especially thoughtful. I love your closing about making it home and the way you repeated “wait” throughout the whole poem. Great job!!
Thank you for sharing! This poem captures the weight of waiting, stretching time into what feels like forever. Lines like “waiting for a ship to sail, / Even though it’s not in the ocean” express the frustration of feeling stuck yet longing for progress. Despite the weariness, there’s a quiet strength in believing “my time is coming.” The closing, “So I wait,” is simple yet powerful, highlighting patience and resilience. Your words speak to anyone caught between hope and uncertainty. I hope the decision brings you the peace and freedom you’re waiting for.
To DA, remain strong and hopeful even when times are uncertain. I feel you’ve expressed a great amount of patience in this poem. You are outstanding. Goodluck to you.
Hello! I enjoyed reading your poem and it was very good. I liked how you talked about waiting, how it can be tiring to wait but we must do it. I also like how you close the poem by showing an event that you are waiting for! Overall this was some amazing work and I hope you keep it up!
God bless you. You are deeply loved and valued by God, our Father.
Very powerful and beautifully written. The pain and hope in DA’s words are very apparent and moving.
I loved the imagery – the ship not in the ocean conveys the feelings of impatience and desire, despite things being out of the speaker’s hands.
The final line is really powerful, especially after the hopefulness of the last stanza.
I’m holding out hope for you.
Hi Da,
I just read your poem and I just wanted to say you have had a fair share of waiting! I know what it’s like when something is so close that feeling is in your bones and you start to get antsy. I do like your comparison about a ship waiting to set sail because just like any other thing about waiting in life, it represents how slow things can move sometimes and how un fair it can be. Just know that the waiting will be worth it. Your poem was smooth, quick, and catchy. I did notice that the patterns you were following which clicked with me. Good job on the writing and keep it up!
Thank you,
Anthony
Your poem captures the weight of waiting—each line filled with anticipation, doubt, and the quiet endurance that comes with it. The mix of frustration and hope makes it deeply relatable, and that last line leaves a powerful impression of resilience.
This poem captures the frustration and hope of waiting for a life-changing decision. The emotions feel real—tired but determined. The imagery of time passing and waiting for a ship that’s not in the ocean makes the feeling even stronger. In the end, patience and hope keep the poet going.
Thank you for this wonderful poem. Waiting can be so difficult especially when your anxious about the news. Your metaphors of time perfect depict how sometimes time can be so slow. When we are eagerly waiting for news time can go by so slow! Thank you for sharing!
This poem captures the raw frustration and exhaustion of waiting, yet it holds onto hope with quiet resilience. The closing lines tie it all together beautifully, reinforcing the strength found in patience.
I think this poem talks about a prisoner getting closer to its release date. They are looking for a new beginning, and is patiently waiting for it to come. This provides a new perspective on how prisoners think and what their anticipation looks like by giving a positive outlook on life.
In the poem Waiting, the anxiety caused by uncertainty for what could happen in the future is neatly captured, thereby making the reader feel the enormous burden and weight of time passing regardless of your emotions. It really emphasized the reality that time waits for no one, and when someone cowers in fear about what could happen, the reality is already happening. The imagery—waiting for a ship that’s not even in the ocean—was a great way to express that emotion of feeling not in control, but despite it all, there’s a quiet voice of strength in the belief that freedom is coming.
This poem captures the emotional toll of waiting for a life-changing decision. The speaker expresses a deep sense of impatience and exhaustion, with time feeling endless. The use of metaphors, like comparing the wait to waiting for a ship that’s not in the ocean, conveys the frustration and uncertainty of the situation. Yet, there’s a sense of hope and determination in the line “I can feel it in my bones,” suggesting that despite the long wait, the speaker believes their time is coming. It’s a poignant reflection on perseverance and the emotional complexity of waiting for justice.
This poem was beautiful and really communicates the longing of wanting to leave, yet all you can do is hope and wait. The lines “It’s like waiting for a ship to sail,/Even though it’s not in the ocean.” really stuck out to me because it communicate the frustration of something being very important to you, yet it isn’t being prioritized by others. The period at the end of the last line “So I wait.” communicated the frustration of the length of having to wait since it has been 31 and a half years. I really enjoyed reading this poem and thank you for sharing.
Very interesting and thought provoking. If this is honest, I wish you the best.
Butterflies are one of the neatest animals on earth in my opinion. They are truly amazing creatures. They have to have a lot of resilience for sure, just to survive. I feel like everybody relates to them, and this poem at least a little bit throughout their life.
This poem captures the weight and exhaustion of waiting so powerfully. The emotions of hope, doubt, and patience come through so clearly, and the imagery — like waiting for a ship to sail that’s not even in the ocean — makes that feeling of endless anticipation so vivid. The closing lines, with that quiet strength and determination to make it home, leave such a lasting impact. It’s a heartfelt and beautifully written piece!
These are such beautiful words filled with such frustration but simmering with hope. I wish nothing but the absolute best for you!
Your poem powerfully captures the exhaustion and hope of waiting, reflecting on patience and anticipation.
This poem really captures the frustration and weariness of waiting for a decision that feels like it’s taking forever. The imagery of waiting for a ship to sail is so relatable, and I love how you express that sense of hope in the end. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the toughest times, patience can lead to a brighter future. Keep holding on!
This was a very inspiring poem that really showed the importance of having patience and never losing hope as it is the best way to be successful at life. Thank you for this poem!
This is so beautifully written, there is such power in your words that makes me feel for you. I applaud your bravery, perseverance, and hope. Keep waiting and good will come in time.
Your poem really shows how hard it is to have to wait. But you can see your strength through the words. Keep hanging in there, your voice is so important. Great poem!!
DA, beautiful poem! I can truly feel and visualize your emotions in your writing. You are so strong, praying you will be released soon!
DA,
Thank you for sharing your emotions and feelings about how long it has felt since you have been home. It must be so hard to wait for that long. I hope with the news of your release has made the days go by faster and you are home now! Patience is hard and a virtue not many people hold, so I applaud you for being so patient. I hope you continue writing!
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece! I understand how hard it can be to wait for a life-changing decision like this. Do not give up hope! Thank you for sharing this poem, it was lovely.
This is very well worded. I like the lines “It’s like waiting for a ship to sail, Even though it’s not in the ocean.” It is a very good depiction of your feelings. I am praying for you, and hope your time comes soon! Know how loved you are!
This poem beautifully captures the weight and weariness of waiting, while still holding on to hope. Your use of repetition, especially in the last line, gives the piece a grounded rhythm that mirrors the slow passing of time. The line “it’s like waiting for a ship to sail, even though it’s not in the ocean” is especially striking. I can feel the emotional fatigue, but also the deep strength that carries you through each day. It takes courage to be vulnerable like this, and even more to keep believing when the waiting feels endless. Keep writing and keep holding on.
This poem was beautiful to read. I feel that butterflies are amazing creatures and hold a lot of meaning to people. The emotions that you express come so clearly, and many people understand how you are feeling. Keep having hope you will get through this.
This poem carries so much weight—raw, honest, and deeply human. I felt every ounce of that waiting, that hope pressed against weariness, the longing for freedom and peace. The way you capture time—not just as days passing, but as a lifetime held in stillness—is powerful and heartbreaking. Yet through it all, there’s this quiet strength, this deep-rooted belief that light is still coming. Thank you for sharing something so vulnerable and real. I’m holding hope with you.
The final lines, where you hold onto the belief that your time is coming, are both a testament to your strength and a reminder of the power of patience. It’s a raw, powerful piece that really resonates with anyone who has ever had to wait for something life-altering.
This poem powerfully captures the feeling of waiting for a life-changing decision, expressing both the frustration and hope that come with uncertainty. It shows the strength in patience and belief that, despite the long wait, freedom and a sense of home are finally within reach.
This poem poignantly captures the emotional weight of anticipation and uncertainty, with a voice that’s both weary and quietly hopeful. The repetition of *waiting* reinforces the passage of time and the toll it takes, while lines like *“I can feel it in my bones”* express a deep, almost spiritual sense of nearing freedom. Polishing the rhythm slightly could sharpen the flow, but the honesty and vulnerability in this piece make it resonate powerfully.
I love how this touches on the virtue of patience and how the optimistic idea that the reward may feel even sweeter after waiting for it for so long
Hello, DA. It can be a pain to wait to be released but once your time is up, then it’s up. Did you know that some wine takes years to complete fermentation. Hope you come out better, like wine.
This is a very impactful poem. The way you articulate your thoughts makes the reader feel your sense of longing. The last line reinforces how long you have had to wait, along with the title of the poem. You are great at writing, keep going!
You’ve expressed that heavy, emotional experience in such a real and relatable way. The repetition of “I wait” and the steady rhythm throughout gives the poem a quiet strength, mirroring the perseverance you’re writing about. It’s simple, but deeply impactful.Lines like “It’s like waiting for a ship to sail, / Even though it’s not in the ocean” are so clever. The vulnerability you show in wondering whether your lawyer is being real, the frustration in “damn, I’m tired of waiting,” and the hope in “I can feel it in my bones”—all of that makes this poem feel alive. You’ve opened a window into a deeply personal moment, and in doing so, you’ve created something that resonates far beyond your own experience.
Hey DA! This poem powerfully conveys the feeling of waiting for something life-changing, and the emotional toll it takes. I felt the frustration and exhaustion in your words, especially the line about waiting all your life. The imagery of the ship waiting to sail was a great metaphor for feeling stuck. I admire how you captured both the uncertainty and hope of patiently waiting for a long-awaited change. Wonderful job, I really enjoyed reading this poem!
This poem hits deep—it really captures that restless, aching feeling of waiting for something life-changing, especially when it feels completely out of your control. The mix of hope, frustration, and quiet strength is powerful, especially in that last line: “So I wait.” You can feel the weight of time in every stanza.
I really felt the raw emotion in your words—especially the line ‘Because damn, I’m tired of waiting.’ It hits hard and shows how deeply this experience is wearing on you.
DA, The theme of waiting—whether it’s for justice, freedom, or simply a new beginning—is deeply relatable, especially when that waiting stretches across years and emotional exhaustion sets in. The line “More like forever and a day” perfectly expresses how time can feel endless when your future is in someone else’s hands.
There’s a quiet strength in your words, especially when you say “I can feel it in my bones” and “By patiently waiting I’ll make it home.” That sense of hope, even in the face of long delays and doubt, gives the poem a powerful emotional core. It shows resilience without ignoring the frustration and fatigue of the journey.
Your voice feels grounded and real—like someone who’s seen too much waiting, but still refuses to give up. If anything, I’d encourage you to keep leaning into that balance of honesty and hope. This poem doesn’t just speak for you—it speaks for anyone who’s ever felt stuck between hope and helplessness. Please keep writing and sharing.
I admire the way you convey your frustration in this poem, it shows just how agonizing that wait can be and I feel for you. How time seems to be moving so slowly, and how exhausting that can be.
You really left a lasting impact by ending the poem on a separate note, with determination to get home despite this wait.
Really appealing to the reader-we can relate!
This poem aches with patience, hope, and the weight of time—each line a testament to the quiet strength it takes to hold on. Your words capture the emotional tension between doubt and faith, exhaustion and endurance. Even in waiting, your voice shines with unwavering determination—reminding us that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is simply believe that freedom will come.
Hi DA,
The tone of your poem perfectly captures the emotion that is felt by lying in wait. It comes through as hopeful with a hint of uncertainty. There’s also a great rhyme scheme in here that makes the entire work flow.
Great poem 🙂
This is a great poem that really captures the exhaustion of waiting for so long and not knowing what the outcome is going to be. It also has great imagery such as the ship and makes the anticipation very heavy for the reader as well. The poem also shows the frustration of having to wait for 31 and a half years and having to continue waiting since there are no answers.
This poem conveys the heavy weight of waiting with both weariness and hope, capturing the struggle of uncertainty while holding onto faith in eventual freedom.
This poem is a very raw and honest reflection on the endless weight of waiting. The author shows how they are caught between hope and exhaustion. The poems show both frustration and quiet determination. It shows how patience can transform into its own kind of survival.
I really love your poem because it’s so honest and heartfelt. The way you describe the struggle of waiting makes the reader truly feel your patience and strength. It’s powerful and full of hope.
I like how this poem captures the exhaustion of waiting, mixing frustration with a fragile hope. The imagery of ships, wheels, and bones gives the feeling that time itself is heavy, yet there is still faith that patience will lead to freedom.
I hope your time comes quickly. I hope you find the warmth and freedom of being home!
This poem felt like a slow burn. Hearing about how long he has been waiting and how much longer he has left felt like torture. The thought of his lawyer not doing enough and telling him empty words weighing on him was powerful. Even still, he patiently waits for his freedom.
Hopeful. That’s what this poem is at it’s core. It tells a tale of patience, internalized doubt, but ultimately, of a hopeful future of freedom despite the struggle that has been endured. Hope for that “someday soon” where they can finally go home. Amazing poem.
I love how you capture the feeling of waiting; how heavy and endless it can feel, but still hold onto hope. The way you say, “I just got to wait a little longer, because by patiently waiting I’ll make it home,” is so powerful and inspiring. Your patience and strength really shine through, and it reminds anyone reading that even in the hardest waits, hope can carry us forward.
Hi DA! This poem shows how heavy and exhausting long waiting can feel. You show the mix of hope and doubt that comes with not knowing what the future holds. You show that even through frustration, patience and belief are helping you hold on until you finally make it home. You have such a talent, great job!
Your poem captures the weight of waiting with such honesty. The mix of frustration, hope, and exhaustion feels real and deeply human. You express a quiet strength in holding on, even after so many years. Your words show resilience in the middle of uncertainty, and that makes the poem powerful and touching.
This poem captures the frustration, hope, and patience that come with waiting for justice. I really appreciate how it conveys both the heaviness of time and the quiet determination to keep going
Hi DA, I cannot imagine how hard it is to be in there for so long. Your poem starts to capture it though, it brought me to tears. I pray that you get out soon and are able to find peace. I’m praying for you.
DA, I love this poem. Waiting can be challenging; you may get tired or impatient not knowing when it’ll be your turn. A verse from the Bible that helps me wait is Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” I used to find waiting so annoying and dreadful until I read and pondered on this verse. It serves as a reminder that there’s a promise attached to my waiting. My encouragement to you is to keep waiting and be patient; your time is coming, don’t give up.
I really liked how this poem shows how exhausting it is to wait for something that could change your whole life. You can feel the frustration, especially when the speaker talks about it feeling longer than “31 and a half years” and just being tired of waiting. It doesn’t sound dramatic in a fake way — it sounds real, like someone who’s just mentally worn out. I also liked the line about the ship not being in the ocean because it shows how stuck everything feels. At the same time, there’s still hope there, especially when the speaker says they can feel their time coming “in my bones.” That mix of being tired but still holding on makes the poem feel honest and relatable.
Hi DA, I can really feel the patience and struggle in your poem. The way you describe waiting for so long feels heavy and real. The line about waiting your whole life stood out to me. It made me think about hope even during long delays. I hope your time comes soon.
I really admire how you used the repitition of the word “waiting” to emphasize the character’s tension, and in including this word in every stanza it gives the impression of them trying to move on but coming back to the same idea, the same word. I also thought it was very interesting how each stanza was formatted in the same way; the begining sentence would detail how they were being told to just wait a bit longer, and that it would be over very soon. The second sentence would show their impatience and built-up agitation, the third sentence of each stanza would show their description of this feeling- often using similes or personification. Each stanza would conclude with a exasperated sentiment, characterizing the disapointment often felt when being told to wait.
The final stanza, however, concludes the reasoning behind all of this, to provide context for why the character had endured all of this. And through this final sentence the mood is suddenly shifted, the words “make it home” symbolize a freedom from this endless restlessness and anxiety, and the final line “So I’ll wait.” differs greatly from word “waiting” mentioned many times before, because it displays a sense of finality, and seriousness, as if the speaker were willing to wait much longer despite their previous grievences.
The form of which you wrote this allowed for us readers to really understand the feelings of the speaker and empathize with them as well- everyone has experienced impatience before, and the way in which you wrote this really brings forth those ideas and emotions. Well done.
I love the hyperbole of waiting on all your life, forever and a day. It really illustrates the toll of waiting and not knowing the outcome. Thank you.
Hey DA! Great job on this poem. Your message is truly beautiful and expands the idea of anxiety of waiting for a major life-changing decision. The line, “It’s like waiting for a ship to sail, even though it’s not in the ocean,” is an amazing metaphor that truly captures the frustration and anxiety of the decision-making process. Thank you for sharing!