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.
No Life to Live
By DJ
I walk around feeling lifeless,
Feeling like I have no life to live
Talk out my neck and see out my ears
The road ahead is a blur
So I can’t find my way
I feel so busy without the time of day
I walk on fire and sleep in snow
I’m living fast but moving slow
My heart and mind is full of rainy days
And blocked paths (more…)
I Did It
By DH
I’ve spent most of my life going through a struggle
I’ve been at the bottom of the totem pole causing harm and affliction to others
I’ve been at the lowest part of the food chain
Starving to the point where my body had to eat from my muscles
I’ve been lied to and deceived, confused and misguided
I’ve been looked down upon and treated like I was nothing
My smile hurts so bad it feels like I’m not smiling at all
I haven’t cried in years and not too often do I complain
I just act nonchalant because if I don’t care I’ll feel no pain (more…)
Wish I Could Bring You Back
By RW
We started out small
Them small things turned into big things
I reflect off the times we used to be lunchin’ on the block
Getting money, stacking dead faces to the top
We used to hit the mall and just shop
Birds is in the sky, you could put on anything and still be fly
I don’t even club, but I would go to watch your back
That’s the only reason I used to go
I still remember your quote: “One thing about that these n****s knows”
It’s like we was riding around plotting and going to see females yesterday (more…)
Sorry
By DJ
I’m sorry for the life I chose
I’m sorry for walking down that road
I live a life of darkness but wish to live a life of gold
I wish my heart was filled with roses
But my heart is filled with mold
I’m only 16 years young but I feel 60 years old
I’m living in the past and can’t move forward
I’m stuck in my tracks but wanna move onward
I’m sorry!!!
Wildfire
By MS
Good morning, Gorgeous
The wind blows across my face to reply back
Man, last nite I was tossing, turning and dreaming
Of the day we would be back in each other’s life
Stressful days and sleepless nights
Sometimes me and Slim would sit up late night reminiscing
How we’d yet again ruined our life
Sometimes it’s like a wildfire
You think you have it put out and Boom
You lose control (more…)
Inside a World
By IS
I live inside a world full of lies and deception
Where money is an obsession
And I’m judged by my complexion
Please understand that this isn’t a philosophy
But this is me expressing my feelings by thinking logically
I’m from a race that suffers from poverty
Low class black folks unfit for the American society
I live inside a world where I am guilty until proven innocent
Modern day slavery, my place of imprisonment (more…)
In This Life of Mine
By DJ
I seen a lot through my eyes in this life of mine
I seen my loved ones cry in this life of mine
I’m living too fast in this life of mine
People I love passed in this life of mine
I just wanna shine in this life of mine
All I know is grind in this life of mine
I’ve done wrong in this life of mine
I just wanna go home in this life of mine
I’m gonna change my ways in this life of mine
I want better days in this life of mine
Hold Up, Just Wait!
By DA
I am running from the fast life
Because I want to see a change
I am running like a speed boat
When I look over my shoulder
I see somebody hating
Telling me I am nothing
They don’t want to see me shine
I be maxin’ out
But I still know that I’m gonna be something in life
(more…)
Road to Where?
By MC
To tell the truth
I’m scared to run
To run away from the streets
Cuz in a world of suits and ties
I feel there’s no room for me
Where Is She?
By RD
Where is she?
She who makes my heart sing
And makes me feel as though I want to buy her a wedding ring
Where is she?
The beauty that makes my day with a smile
The one whom I want to carry my child
Where is she?
Where is she hiding?
Where do I have to look?
Why is she so hard finding?
(more…)
Running
By DJ
I am running from my past
Because that life is too fast
I am running like a mad man
When I look over my shoulder, I see darkness
I feel like I’m running but still in the same spot
If I run fast enough
I might get to my destination
I am running from my fears
Because I’m scared to face them
I am running like a chicken with no head
When I look over my shoulder
I see my fears are gettin’ closer
If I run fast enough
I might make it to my goal
(more…)
Still Wondering Why
By MP
I sometimes still wonder why
About a lot of things that will never make sense
Like why do some men get women pregnant
Then when the baby comes
They don’t want to be in its life
Why?
If a person has more than enough money in their pockets
And a homeless person ask for some change
They give them nothin’
(more…)