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.
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…)
Through the Struggle
By MM
You see that I am locked up
You see that I have a charge
But you don’t know me
You would know me if…
You took time to talk to me to find out how intelligent I am
You knew how hard it was to grow up and be me
You knew how I felt the times that I couldn’t get what I want
You knew how hard it was goin’ through the struggle
(more…)
A Prisoner’s Wince
By AR
While I’m here, enslaved against my own will, as is only punishable by law and remains…
Surely, we sacrifice our freedom in search of financial gain, notoriety, fame.
To leave ourselves vulnerable to what is determined Justice by the powers that reign…
Wincing at the recollection of past acquaintances and associates
That in midst of chasing riches ended up being slain.
Faith has once been described as taking a step without seeing the staircase.
Though I haven’t glimpsed at hellfire, often I flinch from the Flame…
(more…)
Rise Above
By MD
YOU DON’T KNOW ME
You see that I’m locked up & think I’m going nowhere in life
You see that I’m caring & think I’m sweet
But you don’t know me
You would know me if…
You knew how hard it was to be called a crack baby growing up
You knew how I feel when I think people don’t care
You knew how much I wanted to go to the NBA
(more…)
Livin’ in a World
By MM
Livin’ in a world
Where if you snitch you hot
Livin’ in a world
Where dope dealers on the block
Livin’ in a world
Where the youngins totin’ glocks
Pain to Power
By AR
I was 14 when I watched Ky die
When I seen him fall back and close his eyes,
I wanted to die
I didn’t want to believe he was dying
So I ain’t cry
I just talked to his boy like he was alive
(more…)
Life is Too Short
By TE
Sentenced to 7 years in prison at the age of sixteen
Life is too short to be sitting in prison
Holding grudges on a person is a waste of time
People change and things go wrong so quickly
But that’s a part of life
Life is too short to hold grudges
Always forgive but never forget and have no regrets
Life is too short to be unhappy
Smile when you are sad and laugh when you can
Because life is too short