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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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Pressure

November 13, 2020 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

Ran from too many lectures and pressures, back pressed to the fire exit doors

Jump through so many hoops just to stay level and settle scores

while you act as if you walk across rose pedaled floors

I see your gestures-

Sequestered by your suggestions and measured questions you press me for

then stoking my ego as if you know what I’m destined for

though you treat me with the same love I got arrested for

you rob me of it-

yea yea I’m special

I’m ghetto

a rebel

I revel at revolting

but that’s only before the ship tips over

I got this chip on my shoulder

it’s hard to keep from getting colder

besides what’s a heart on a sleeve when I’m frozen?

I know the gift I behold only emboldens

if struggle is the route for exposure, then I’m the chosen

so if you live in a glass house, better stick to skipping pebbles in the ocean

but you are what you throw, and rocks are corrosive

I’m sending my notice

I’m coming world, in case you don’t know it

my belief system is growing

my passion symptoms has me glowing

my peers say that I’m showing

fears dissipating each moment

the portrait I portray doesn’t betray me no longer

I’m only getting stronger

the longer I’m holding on

better sound the alarm

unless you’re counting on karma

but I’m shrouded in armor

that won’t allow you to harm me

or down me like insoluble salts

I’ve drowned out your intolerable taunts

me and the mirror have held countless invaluable talks

I know where I’m headed

I know where my head is

I know my direction

a piece of coal doesn’t die stressing

it sheds into a diamond, and a diamonds defies, it doesn’t digress

so walking within this mine has been my test

as long as I could come out on the other side, where I can shine best

only thing left, is the pressure of your judgmental foot on my neck!

Filed Under: Culture, Inside, Love, Mercy, Trauma

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Prose of a Con

Prose of a Con is a collection of Russell Wardlow’s prose and poetry written entirely behind bars. Through writings on family, spirituality, freedom, love, justice, redemption, and vulnerability, Russell seeks to show the humanity and hope of individuals like himself who are incarcerated.

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