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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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Changing Changes Changelessness

April 4, 2021 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

my body plunged by this mighty sword of life
blood of my life force rained down both sides
one side was of the injustices I was to experience
and the other, innocence I was to lose
as I cried out to the sky of imbalance
breathing the air of judgment
sobbing the inequalities of my being
I pondered love-
the fuel of my spirit
the vital essence of my being-
wondering why has it came under attack
before it first had a chance to stand
pain, wounds, and their callouses
armoring my body from love
and so life has been dulled by jade
entrapped by desensitization
the majesty of feelings, foreign
and freedom, alien
I scream in agony my confusion
whimpering for more than what is
heaving for signs
as my tears fall alone
my shadow holed by the sword of life
and tomorrow the neighbor of misery
though I deem its company
if only for the hope of a new life
where the sword of life can be sheathed at my side
fighting away the evils of darkness
slicing its way through what once agonized me
redemption, the handle of my sword I gripped heartily
fencing with despair
retribution, the cold shinning steel I wielded
jousting its tip into fears I once succumbed to
and resurrection became mine
defeating what once plunged itself deep inside the birth me
realizing, it was life that had killed me
nor love that calloused me
and not even ‘my’ fears of both,
which kept me silent, still, sore, secluded, and weeping
it was you
and I don’t need your acceptance,
I finally accept myself
even if you can’t accept that
but you will
because I am also a force
and from here on,
nothing will change the same

Filed Under: Mercy, Spirit

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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.

Read More

  • Barefoot Bravado April 8, 2021
  • What is Darker than Dark? April 8, 2021
  • Dear Correctional Officer April 8, 2021
  • Deep-end April 8, 2021
  • Scribing My Pulse April 8, 2021

Themes

  • Culture
  • Inside
  • Love
  • Mercy
  • Spirit
  • Trauma

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