Untitled
By VC
I often envision being a part of another world
Where the better person in me can truly unfurl
A world where I am not perpetually judged by my greatest sin
A world showing me how it feels to be forgiven
A world where I can smell the sincerity
And those that were once foes but become dear to me
The ultimate bliss
This world is a mentality so I know that it exists
53 Comments
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The poets featured here 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. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. 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.
Hi, VC,
I like this poem a lot. I can feel your sincere wish to be seen as who you are: a wise, reflective, thoughtful, kind, growing person who is focused on improving and shining as their best self. I admire this and I fully believe you will feel this sense of security and belonging in your life.
Thank you for sharing your poetry.
I love the rhyming scheme you use. It’s subtle yet strong enough to tie the separate lines together formatically. Your themes of safety and redemption makes me hopeful for the future despite the forlorn yearning for a world you not in yet.
I love your use of anaphora in lines 3-5, it truly emphasizes the message you are delivering. The insight provided by this poem is significant because all individuals have made mistakes, and no one hopes those moments sculpt their lives. Thank you for sharing!
This is such a beautiful poem about a universal experience shared by many people (though at the moment, we can feel as though they are going through these doubtful and unhappy feelings alone). Thank you for sharing your internal thoughts and feelings through this insightful poem. The rhyme and flow of your words created a beautiful and relative message.
I really enjoyed the simplicity and conciseness of your poem. It added great style.
VC,
My absolute favorite line is “This world is a mentality, so I know that it exists”
I couldn’t agree more. So much of life is what YOU make it out to be. Sometimes you have to create that world for yourself as well. This simple but powerful poem shows the importance of mindset, and pushes forth the idea that we must manifest our own destiny and create the world we wish to see ourselves.
Thank you for the reminder that there is good in everyone and one poor decision should not define who you are for the rest of your life.
Hi VC,
Although your poem is shorter, it is still incredibly powerful! Each line in concise and gripping. My favorite line is “A world where I am not perpetually judged by my greatest sin”, because it is so truthful and speaks to a world I think should exist as well. You put a voice to your pain and hopefulness really well.
Really great work! I love it!
–Nora
Forgiveness is hard to come by in this world, but the first step is being able to forgive yourself. In your poem you did an excellent job communicating your want to belong. Amazing work!
Hi VC!
I believe the message of your poem is truly universal. Sometimes, all we wish is to be able to start over, be a different version of our selves, where no one knows who we were or what we once did. Instead we would be judged based on the person we are now, who has learned from their past and has become a better person for it. While I know that we cannot shed our skin like we change clothes, I still believe growing and becoming different because we have learned, because we want to change, is more important than who we once were. So I hope you continue to grow and continue to become the best version of yourself, because that version is a gift to humanity. That version of yourself, who has experienced and changed, has wisdom and knowledge to help others change and grow as well.
I love the repetition of “A world where…” because it demonstrates the authors want and demand for a new chance. I think that the word “sincerity” is really well chosen here. It brings the poem power and makes the reader want to help the author. Really good job on this poem!
Hey V.C.
Smelling sincerity is a wonderful idiom. I love the creativity there…
If it can be thought, it can be done sort of approach to this piece is done exceptionally well.
I have to agree we are to blame for the world we live in.
VC, I enjoyed this poem because everyone has once felt like they have been judged and are disappointed in themselves, but it is always important to remember that the past is in the past and you need to focus on becoming a better person. Every day I think to myself what I can do in order to feel good about myself so, I like to journal and write down goals I can achieve. When you stated, “A world where I am not perpetually judged by my greatest sin; A world showing me how it feels to be forgiven.”, I think it is important that you don’t think about the people who judge you because they don’t know what you’ve been through and how hard it can be to become a better person. Never give up and always strive to be the best person you can be. It only gets better. I loved your emotions through your words and this poem.
This is a beautiful poem, and I want to see you living in this other world too. My heart goes out to you; I hope you will keep writing and know that this other world will someday be your reality.
This is very powerful, and something about it really struck a chord with me. I hope that someday we can create the world you just described.
-VC,
I like your use of rhyme at the end of each line. The rhymes didn’t feel forced, and I think that’s hard to do, so kudos. I really hope that you can find this other world, because you deserve happiness and forgiveness. I wish you all the best, and hope that you keep writing.
As a society, we have been conditioned to believe that punitive and carceral responses are justice. The truest form of injustice is the ontological disregard we have for incarcerated folks.
Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing this, VC. I really wish we lived in a world where we valued forgiveness and where everyone understood that people are not the worst thing they have ever done. I think by writing poems like this you’ve helped us take a small step towards that kind of world, so I really want to thank you for that.
VC, thank you for sharing this! I really empathize with what you’re saying; thank you for sharing your perspective. You do deserve to be treated with dignity and love and forgiveness! I hope this world can become a reality for you. All the best, Maya
This poem can be relatable to a lot of incarcerated people who regret what they did. They want to be in a world where they are not looked at for something they did in the past. The past does not define who they are, it’s their future decisions with knowledge of the past. This author conveys a somber tone throughout the poem. I can feel the pain of their past decisions and hope for the future. VC ends the poem with a memorable line. This line can inspire people to make the world a better place because it inspired me.
VC,
This poem is very powerful and beautiful. I really enjoyed your use of rhyme at the end of each line. I really hope that one day you are able to find this world. You deserve forgiveness and love. Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem.
I loved it!
Tess
VC,
Thank you for sharing this poem. Your yearning for a world where we are not defined by our worst mistakes is a world we all yearn for. Until we create this world, remember who you are. Remember the good you have done and are capable of doing in the future, no matter where you are. Keep writing! We hear you.
KC
This was a very well written poem! You did an amazing job! The rhythm that you used and the way that you explained everything was wonderful! Keep up the amazing work and never stop writing!!
I really thought it was inspiring what you wrote. We all make mistakes in life, and I thought it was really powerful what you wrote about about not letting one bad decision define your life and you as a person.
VC, thank you for sharing this poem! The simplicity of it is so powerful. I too wish we lived in a world like the one you are envisioning. You deserve happiness and forgiveness so I hope that you do find this. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing this short and sweet poem that says a lot. First, I noticed the subtle rhyming pattern you used to bring the entire thing together. Second, I, too, often envision being part of another, better world, where forgiveness and sincerity are the norm. This is such a powerful testament to why it is important that we foster this world for ourselves. We might not be able to change the actions of others, but we can manifest non-judgement and forgiveness and sincerity in our own lives and actions if we so choose. Your poem was a wonderful reminder of this. Thank you for sharing!
This poem makes me feel sad but I truly loved it. It made me think of mistakes and regrets in life, and I really heard when you said “A world where I can smell the sincerity.” Everyone travels a different path in life and that is what makes us all unique. I believe you will find the right people and the right place for you. Keep your head up and keep going!
This is such a beautiful poem. It overflows with so much sincerity and compassion. It would truly be amazing if such a world existed. People aren’t stagnant; they grow, make mistakes, and learn from those mistakes.
VC,
I really like this poem. It does a good job expressing what you wish the world was like, how you wish to be seen as who you really are, not your past. I like how you end the poem with “this world is a mentality so I know that it exists” because it gives the reader hope that it is possible to create a world without judgement. Overall, really great and powerful poem!
-Cameron
VC, I really enjoy this poem. It describes our own inner demons and the need to forgive. I think that many people can relate to this poem and wish to be on the other side that does identify with this piece of themselves. Your poem displays growth because it is being recognized that the old way of thinking is no longer what is desired, and that takes great strength to acknowledge. The poem also displays pain being inflicted on by society and a sense of belonging. You are welcome whenever and wherever; however, you may come. You are able to form your own story and just know you are valued in any way. I hope the obstacle that is present is able to be broken down, Thank you for sharing
VC, wow I am truly amazed by this poem, the way you talked about another reality truly shook me.
VC, thank you for sharing this! I thought this poem was very thoughtful and powerful. I wholeheartedly agree for the need for forgiveness in our society. It’s amazing you were able to convey such a strong message in as few lines as you used.
This was really well written, and I really liked how you mentioned a world you hope to live in, and hope that comes true for you!
I never knew that such a short poem could be filled with such powerful and inspiring words. Thank you for taking the time to use your words to spread a positive message. Having forgiveness and being able to forgive is an important and essential way of living. Great poem, and continue to write and inspire others with your words!
VC,
Thank you so much for sharing and allowing us as readers to take a dive into your mind like this. Poetry truly is a way to express ourselves and be vulnerable and I could see where you shared these aspects of yourself while also your critique of society, “this world.” I could relate, wanting to escape and go to another world where I could be at peace and be a better me because it feels hard here. I wish you peace and healing.
I really like this poem! I can truly feel the sincerity of your want for this through your words. Thank you for sharing, and great job!
I really like the honesty and vulnerability you show in this poem. I like how you encourage a world that accepts you for you, the good and the bad because that is simply being human and allows you to work towards being a better person. Like everyone is saying above, I too wish for a world where we can get to that and you are most definitely not alone. I love the simplicity of this poem as well.
VC,
Thank you for sharing! I like how vulnerable you make yourself. I also like the words you chose to use. They fit well! It’s such a simple poem but it has so much depth to it. Wishing to escape to a world that will accept you for you are and becoming a better person. It is the little things in life. I also love how the end is optimistic. “this world is a mentality so I know that it exists”. It adds a nice touch! Great poem.
Blessings,
Serina
VC,
This is such a beautiful piece! The words you have chosen fit together so nicely and I can really understand and envision what you are discussing.
This was so powerful. Thank you. I feel like a lot of us struggle with this ideal version of ourselves that potentially lives in another world, but you explaining how this is a mentality that could exist snaps us to realize that we just need to put in the effort and time to become this version. It brings encouragement and hope and I thank you for sharing this piece
VC,
Thank you for sharing your piece! The words, vulnerability, and honesty you poured into this poem brought it to life. Highlighting how we are not defined by our failures or faults but rather our courage and character that we present ourselves with. My question for you is, why keep the title “Untitled”? Was that a choice to represent the endless battle between who we truly are and what we seem to be? What other names would you title this piece to give it more power? Thank you again for sharing!
Dear VC,
It is disheartening that we live in a world where we are only defined by our worst sin, and that we do not forgive even when change has occurred. I do agree that this mentality already exists, if we can realize that if we judge others by the worst parts what is to stop our own selves from being judged. At times I feel that we are too afraid to see the imperfections in ourselves so we call out it in others. I appreciate your poem for making this realization known, for us to self reflect, and know that a change can come from all of us. You are a wonderful poet, please continue to write.
Best,
M
I like how short and sweet your poem is. It shows so much emotion and it truly shows what you want in life. I feel like you show such hope and faith in this poem. I hope you are able to write more and express yourself.
I think is poem has a great message. I love the positivity, hope, and forgiveness behind it. I can tell there are many levels of emotions behind this piece which makes it interesting to read. I find this poem very inspiring as it reminds me that where we are now is not permanent and there is a future and things to look forward to. Ideas like this get me out of difficult times. I also think that this poem shows your creativity and how deep your thought process is which is also something that I find very admirable.
Your desire to be accepted and forgiven is so beautifully and innocently portrayed in this poem. I hope you find the peace you deserve.
Hi VC, thank you for sharing! My name is Emily and I attend school in Detroit. As part of one of my English classes, we are incorporating service and community and that is how I came across this website. The first thing I want to say after reading your poem is that I am sorry that you are judged on past mistakes that makes you feel like you can’t be yourself. I think that sometimes it is difficult to get through some things that we have done in our past life, but if we work to make up for it then we can make up for our wrongs. It seems like you are ready or have already corrected your past mistake. I hope that someday you can be the person you are meant to be. People deserve second chances and yours will come. I appreciate you being vulnerable in your poem and hope you get the peace you deserve.
Than you for producing a wonderful piece of work, I liked how simple yet effective the words you chose where, it really emphasizes the message you are trying to get across.
This was a short yet powerful poem, a commentary on how quick humans are to judge. To every person, there are thousands of stories, emotions, and characteristics. You are a person with so many wonderful traits, like your ability to be a great poet. Stay strong!
Thank you for sharing this poem. I think this is something that we can all relate to, because the world has wronged each of us in some sort of way, and we are sometimes associated with that. When it is not forgotten or forgiven by the world, it is hard for us to forgive ourselves. I wish we were not defined by our past, and I hope in the future the world is better about this. This poem is full of emotion and very relatable, and I hope to read more of your work.
VC, thank you for sharing this poem! I think this poem is very relatable and there are so many people who are feeling what you feel. I think poetry is such a good way to express your emotions. I really enjoyed this poem. Keep writing!!
Hi VC,
I really like this poem. While it seems relatively simple and short, there is more complex meaning behind it. Today, one mistake can cause so much turmoil and follow people for the rest of their lives. Mistakes can affect friendships, relationships, etc., and forgiveness for not only others but ourselves is necessary to live a happy life. If you begin by forgiving yourself, forgiveness for and hopefully from others follows. “This world is a mentality, so I know that it exists” is such a powerful line, and so true. Forgiveness is a mindset that one must want to achieve. This poem is amazing, thank you for sharing!
Ainsley
Dear VC,
Thank you for writing this powerful poem about your vision that many people experience wanting to belong in this harsh world. I too long for a world that does not judge one for their greatest sin, and your connection to this idea was very powerful for me to hear. The repetition of the phrase “A world” stuck out to me as this possibility of a world where one can truly be the best version of themselves is something I long for also. Your emotion shines through the lines within this poem as I can “smell the sincerity” in your words. Thank you for this powerful poem, and I hope you never stop writing poetry, as this poem was amazing!
CE, Minnesota
I liked this poem a lot. To me, I think that resilience and strength are exhibited throughout each line because despite how negative the circumstances could be, hope has still yet to be lost about a brighter future. I’m a person who believes that good people make bad decisions sometimes. I also believe that those decisions don’t always make you a bad person. I think that knowing in your heart who you are is truly the only opinion that matters, and I admire that you are aware of the potential that you hold within yourself to be the good that you want to see in the world. The third and fourth lines specifically stuck out to me because they spoke about not wanting to be judged for the decisions you made in your past and wanting to be forgiven. I think that the place that you have to start is forgiving yourself. The past is in the past and there’s nothing that can be done to change what has happened. Instead, move forward and remind yourself every day of the hardships you have overcome and use that as motivation to continue into the future. You’ve got this!