About the Poetry Blog
The poets featured on this page 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. These 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.
Click on the poem title to open it up, and then post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem.
Sometimes I Cry
By AH
My daughter’s smile weighs heavy on my heart
So heavy that I’m sitting here crying in the dark
Repeatedly telling myself, “Twon, you should have tried harder”
“Twon, you should have been a better father”
(more…)
54-N-Beautiful
By: AH
Dedicated 2 My Moms
Ma, I want to apologize for the weight that my life choices have placed upon u,
more over I want to thank u for burying that weight.
This world has placed a heavy burden upon your shoulders
But u carry that weight like a true soldier
Smiling when the circumstance ask of u to cry
Telling the truth refusing to lie
A Goddess is what I see in u (more…)
Staring at the Wall
By CW
I was warned there’d be times like these
But nothing could’ve prepared me for Dr. Swartz
Who comes around once a week
Peeking in my cell like he knows me better than I know myself
I’ll bet he gets a kick out of seeing a 22 year old
Who has been locked away in a cell since he was 16
Who has 30 more to go if a blessing doesn’t come through this damn wall
That he’s been staring at for the past 6 hours (more…)
The Tears of a Prisoner
By AR
When I weep, I weep for those of us who’ve, as a result of our own whims, paid the price of our freedom.
I cry for those of us who’ve been forewarned of our demise and still….remained heedless.
I mourn for my people, who incarceration has weakened.
My tears fall for this broken justice system, that’s failed the masses.
I cry for my peers in handcuffs, restraints and shackles.
For young Michael and Freddie, my tears flow steady. (more…)
Body of Words
By DM
Call it what you want, I’m going to call it how I feel
But one thing we all know is I’m going to keep it real
I believe it was “Will” who made me carry around that cold steel
See what I mean?
That’s the dummy in me
Who believed instead of working for it, it was better to steal (more…)
Is It Too Late?
By DH
Is it too late to save my soul from its evil flesh?
Without causing me harm or laying me down to rest?
Because my body has led me down a destructive path
And my soul is scared of the future because of my wicked past
Is it too late to wash my heart and make it clean and pure? (more…)
You Can’t Judge Me
By DJ
You got me all wrong
I’m not a bad person
My looks can’t tell my actions
My choice of words
Doesn’t mean I don’t have a good vocabulary (more…)
Why Is My Heart So Cold?
By TS
Why is my heart so cold?
Is it ‘cause the way the wind blows?
Is it the way the rain pours?
The reason that I can’t feel no more
Or is it ‘cause my mother wasn’t there? (more…)
Valuable Lessons
By AC
I’m not going to be in this position forever.
I’m going to pull through this for sure.
Nothing lasts forever, life is a roller coaster ride.
Just as sure as you go up, you can bet you’ll come down.
All you can do is strap on your seat belt and prepare for the ride. (more…)
Why Do We Attract
By SK
Life seems to revolve around you and your traits
Your reals, no fakes
Your persona, they hate
They say opposites attract
My negatives and your positives
When I have the answer
You’re where the problem is
Why do we attract?
Why do we lock eyes
For moments at a time
Whatever I lack
You got all the time
I lose sight of reality
At a glance of your beauty
At a whiff of your scent
Why do we attract?
Why are we in love?
If I Had 3 Wishes
By JN
If I had 3 wishes
I would wish for forgiveness,
Love, kindness and peace
If I had 3 wishes
I would wish for no more handcuffs
In my life
If I had 3 wishes
I would wish for another opportunity,
Honor and a great path to take
To get home and stay home