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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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Smiling Through Change

April 2, 2021 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

the difference between a stagnant activist
and a dynamic activist
the difference between an activist of now
and an activist of transcendence
is a smile
change, and the need for it, should not lose the joy of the message
the joy of the desired change
of the life to still impact change
of the envisioned and believed end to a new beginning
pain hurts
but everyone hurts
hurt isn’t what attracts change
resilience,
and the smile that others have yet to find the strength for yet
through the turmoil of struggle and loss
smile, be the smile, reinforce that smile
even when it betrays the truth beneath
because the surface creates a bridge to the deep
this is all deeper than,
but still no more important, than a smile
the smile is the introduction,
the greeting,
the welcoming to the message
and the rest…is and will be historic
smile for the very reason that you shouldn’t, for the very people who can’t, so they can find it again, and then share it, because the wisdom and empowerment it beholds
through every rep and grunt, smile
through every speech ending to begin, smile
smiling wins the battle in preparation for the war

Filed Under: Mercy

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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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