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.
Empty
By G B
Without you I’m incomplete
No strength just weak
Being away from you is punishment enough
Missing one child’s birth is just as tough
I’m so lost to you and trying to find my way
Way back to you, cause my heart weeps for you everyday
I would give anything just for one kiss
But it’s looking into them eyes I truly miss
Boo, your love for me is better than gold
you’re my other half, without you I’ll never be whole
I need you more than you’ll ever know
Time is going fast but it feels so slow
Slow is for a turtle or a snail
But’s not ok for a man in a federal jail
The longer I’m here the more I feel sh***y
But the longer I’m away from you I just feel
Empty!!!
My Life
By MD
Did you ever do push ups
And it seem like you don’t get bigger?
Have you ever spoke
And it feel like no one is listening?
You ever want to learn
And there is no teacher?
Well, I have
It’s not fun
So I turned to the street
And thought I found love
All I found was a game
That can’t be changed
There was no love
And u must play for keeps
In my eyes
There was more dying than living
More crying than smiling
More sad than happy
Searching While Lost
By RD
Lost in a world I didn’t ask to be brought into.
Lost…confused…who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose?
Wandering with the look of nothing on my face, because I know nothing of myself.
Confused because I am lost and lost because I am confused.
The questions I need answered I don’t get an answer, I barely get clues.
Searching for myself and got lost in the process.
Searching for myself in a world I am lost in.
Searching … lost… confused, I have no clue where to begin.
Lost… lost in this world but maybe I’ll be guided in the end.
Lost but still searching, I want to know myself within.
Curiosity and determination will fuel me until the end.
Lost in a world I didn’t ask to be brought into,
but live I will with a grin!
Wrong Time
By TO
When I was home
I had da wrong mind
Sometimes I was at the wrong place
At da wrong time
I use to play da game
And have da wrong plan
I feel as though I’m da wrong type of man
My good words are blind
I think I did things at da wrong time
Drug Free at Last
By AR
Mind, body, and soul still you uphold
From the toxins that had you controlled
Because of your blinded eyes
They appeared as gold
Many days you said you would leave that road
But for many times under pressure you had fold
But now that’s no more load for you to hold
And when I say drug free I’m bold
Yes I because now I’m me
And as strong as I can be
But never looking down at those lower than me
And only looking higher for more to achieve
So when you look at me only believe
That my old habits finally let go of me
And know thanks to God
I’m Drug Free At Last
16 on the Juvenile Block
By LS
I just want to be young and going to my prom.
I want to be having fun with my friends at school and playin with the girls.
I want to change my life and not be on dis Juvenile Block.
Be out in the community with my little brothers and sisters.
I wish could go home and start all over so dat I don’t have to be 16 on a Juvenile Block.
$$ Money $$
By AJ
Money… money… money…
It’s what everyone out to get!
Drug dealers, prostitutes, police, people want it, illegal or legit.
It’ll have you doing things you’ll regret you did,
Stabbing, robbing, shooting everything above,
But in the end, it’s actually showing you no luv.
Think about it! Its nothing but paper with a dead president
And believe me, dying and going to jail for something that’s nothing but debt
Is not worth it!
So don’t listen to 50 Cent’s, “Get Rich or Die Trying” quote!
Because it will have you worshipping it as a GOD
With blind faith and material hope
So don’t let it stress you out, drive you crazy, or go out of your normal ways
Because at the end your gonna be judged on what you did to get it here on your earthly days.
Okay, yeah you need it no doubt dat’s true
To survive and live comfortable, and to get things necessary for you
There are people who’ve accumulated too much of it
Looking down on people belittling them and that’s not right.
Who are you to judge? You’re not the all knower.
You’re the child of Adam, so you’ve also taken’ a bite.
People even occupy Wall Street, just to go on strike
Until the police comes and tellem’ to take a hike
Money… money… money…
It’s like you’ve stabbed the entire globe with a long razor sharp knife
But before you killem’ let everyone know that
“you CAN’T take MONEY to the AFTERLIFE”
This poem is for people who think about money 24/7 . I just want people to know don’t let your whole life be about getting money. You will totally miss out on life’s lesson and not be happy about living, just stressed over paper. I want people to know dat money is not everything, you think it is. Don’t worship money, let it worship itself.
My Heavenly Friend
By AR
If you leave where will I be
If you weren’t here what would I see
When I look at you
I see a person of all one could be
And when I’m your presence
I feel that paradise is upon me
When I need you you’re always here
I can’t find the words because none can compare
But for a friend in me I hold you dear
Because you’re an individual
Of much love, wisdom, and patience to share
A good friend is hard to find
But God bless me with one that defends
And for that blessing alone
It’s time I start giving mine
And show a light of my own that shines
Thank you my heavenly Friend
Color Blind
By DA
Not holding a grudge because of your ancestry
No mad because I may have to work extra hard to not get a felony.
Don’t allow the derogatory words to have an impact on my view,
the way I see things and the functions I get into.
I greet you in peace,
Even if you dislike me.
That’s strength in its own
Also my reality
that’s painted in the poem!
I Was Once Considered A Number…
By GD
I was once considered a number
Locked away deprived of my shine.
Late night story telling through the bars to a friend,
Headline reading, from much stress and worries,
Newspaper headline and Fox 5 press stories,
Made me out to be an animal something unreal,
Like I had no heart or emotions to feel.
Free-minds changed everything with a speech I could feel
Taught me how to put my words on paper so the whole world could feel
I told me to keep my head up high and my feet down low
Promised to help me on this long road I had to go,
They have kept this promise on this road so far
Sending warm greetings and smiles from a place so far.
Now I feel in debt not just to myself but them
To prove the world wrong that I didn’t lose
But I promise to win…
I
By RD
“I”, I say “I” because even around people in this place I am alone.
Supporters on the outside but inside I am on my own.
Waiting, sitting, waiting, sitting, time going by, when am I going home!
Frustrated with the situation but calm I must appear.
Because in the jungle I reside in,
people feed off your weakness. I refused to be the pray in here!
I walk around with my head up my chest out…appearance without fear.
If caught slipping it will be as a strong hunter and a weak deer.
But I have a feeling soon the path will be clear.
Clear enough to get on with my life not as a weak deer!
I, I am alone, but strong keeping my head up and my chest out and my mind clear.
In my direction you see nor sense weakness,
so to figure me out hard you stare.
In my direction all you can say is you see a man without fear!
Teach Me
By MD
Teach me and I will learn
Instead of pushin’ me away
Show me a way
Instead of calling me dumb
Make me smart
My hand is out
I’m willing to learn
Teach me and I will learn
When will it be my turn?
Like Dr. King, I have a dream
Stop the pain, it burns
Don’t smoke your mind away
It’s there for a reason
Teach me and I will learn