Weapon of Choice
By MR
My mom’s once told me, “Son drop the gun and pick up a pen…”
And let your words become a weapon that’ll demonstrate
positivity amongst both women and men…
So I began to express my pain and disregard
my insecurities and shame…
Because I soon understood, being myself wasn’t a façade,
but a position of change…
So I no longer encourage violence when there’s a glorifying truth in talent…
Within the message to obtain balance and orchestrate proof
that will conquer the challenge…
That we face every day in modern society…
The system was designed specifically to degrade convicted felons,
so nobody would hire me…
However, I chose to remain clever…
Because resilience became an evolutional guidance that created
opportunities beyond measure…
So if my words can somehow inspire those who are lost to find
their truth and desires…
Then the sacrifice was worth me weaponizing my thoughts
instead of picking up a gun to fire …POW
14 Comments
Leave a Comment
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 found this to be a very powerful piece that reflects on the phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword”. I too hope that others can find hope and inspiration within your message just as I have and I think that your use of ellipses was a really interesting motif as well. I would be really interested in seeing another piece by you that is not bound by a rhyme scheme and is more focused on structure, which could include things like having a phrase repeated throughout for emphasis or having each line get shorter as the poem goes on. These are just some ideas to get you thinking.
This is a great piece and I commend you for having the bravery and thoughtfulness to express yourself so eloquently. Congrats!
Hey MR, I applaud you for remaining strong in a system that wasn’t built to help those are incarcerated. Your dedication to positivity will pay off. Thanks for sharing.
I love the images you’ve created with this poem. When your mother tells you to write, express your feelings and choose words rather than a gun and crime.
The break of these lines, “The system was designed specifically to degrade convicted felons so nobody would hire me, so nobody would hire me, however I choose to be clever” was great because it is a pause that can be use to represent the unknown and time. I think this is great representation of saying that you cannot judge a book by its cover and you have to get to know it first. It is a good point that sometimes you need to take the time and not jump into conclusion about what is best for yourself, and you need to figure what is best through experiences and change.
I love the way you have made concepts like change very relatable because it allows the reader to make their interpretations and understand the meaning. Excellent work. Keep writing!
Your words are wise and intelligent. They can be a strong and effective weapon to teach others. Thank you.
I really enjoyed this poem. When reading this I was able to feel all the feelings and truths that went into creating this beautiful poem. I think the message behind it is amazing as well. It takes only the strongest person to overcome and pivot your mindset to where you are today. This is truly amazing and inspiring. I think you have the power to help people overcome violence and hatred and turn it into the inspiration that you have become. Keep up the amazing poetry!
You’re spot on with the institutional challenges convicted felons face – it’s so unfair that even after you’re released, you are never really given a blank slate to build a life on, but have to continue to carry your past with you. I wish you the best of luck overcoming that challenge.
Bang! Talking about shooting off a round without ever picking up a gun. I could take what you said and put it into practice myself. I can be a very physical person but as demonstrated by your words they will reach much further than anything one can do with their hands. Words will allow us to express much more than a close fist can. Thank you for sharing.
Yes! You and your mom are wise!!!
Wow, this is powerful! I am so glad in a system that brings people down you are able to persevere and realize the good. Your words did inspire me, someone who is lost to seek my truth and desires. Thank you for your strong words, keep fighting and your writing will take you places.
Wow! This was such an amazing poem.. It is so intense and your description is so good. I can feel how you felt when you were writing it. The ending was such good imagery and it was just a good way to end the poem. Keep on writing!!
MR,
Something about this poem really sticks with me. The words flow nicely and I believe this poem could end up inspiring many others, including myself. Thank you.
I love that your goal at the end of the poem is to inspire others–a very noble goal indeed! I also really like how you talk about defeating the odds and using your talent to your advantage. Great poetry!
I enjoyed this poem for the simple fact that it sheds light upon the fact that the pen can be one of the greatest weapons ever wielded by man. It has many of the same shortcomings and can be used to cause senseless violence much like a gun or sword, but it can also be used in a positive manner to inspire generations of people into building a better tomorrow.
“let your words become a weapon that’ll demonstrate positivity amongst both women and men…
What a powerful message! It is true that our words have power. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. Thank you for reminding us that we can choose our words wisely and aspire to speak well and empower each other instead of trying to degrade or cause harm to others. I hope that everyone will have a chance to listen to this message and see the relevance to spread positivity instead of negativity.