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.
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…)
Maria
By VM
My soul is resting
As I wait, my heart is beating like I ran a hundred miles
I’m starting to believe I’m chasing a ghost
I was taught to never give up
Now I’m sitting in my room with my head in my lap
Singing to myself, Babe, come back!
I know I made a brutal mistake
I also know me apologizing is not enough (more…)
Why Do We Breathe
By JC
Have you ever thought,
Why do we breathe?
And how when people get to be old
They have to leave
I always wanted to know,
How did everyone come to be?
How, who, and why did they choose me?
Some people say our breath is a blessing
But me, I think of it as a special lesson
Why do we breathe?
Someone, please let me know
Before I have to leave
I think I’ll be fine
If I just believe
See the Different Struggle!
By DJ
You see that I’m locked up
And you think I can’t make a change in my life
You see that I’m cut throat and strong
But you don’t know me
You would know me if
You knew how hard it was to grow up in my struggle
You would know me if
You knew how I feel when I think people can’t help me
You would know me if
You know how much I want my freedom (more…)
Ma’ziyah
By MP
Ever since you’ve been in my life
It hasn’t been a day or hour you haven’t been on my mind
And I get an unexplainable feeling
Lovin’ you and knowin’ you all mine
At only 8 months now, your smile and laugh alone
Makes my life just shine
And for anyone to say you isn’t
One of the most beautiful babies that they ever saw
They will be lying (more…)