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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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Hamster Wheel

March 6, 2021 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

he walks up and down stairs
they walk round and round the track
he paces back and forth
they sweat their bodies to the limits, working out their sanity

he sits still, staring at nothing out into the distance
the seasons change
the sun comes and goes
the herds come and go

and every day it looks just like this
like a hamster running in place
trying to stay active
because if he stops

if he stops…

well he can’t think about that
and neither can they
neither can we
neither can I

although I’m aware that all they are doing
all we are doing
all I am doing

is running in circles

until my cage door opens
I may not die in this cage
I hope not
but others will

making their very bed
is a fateful metaphor
the wheel will stop
the wheel is their battery

but for now
the hamster wheel must move
because to stop…

Filed Under: Inside

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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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