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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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History and Reality Put in Perspective

April 22, 2021 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

an estimated 50 million taken
an estimated 13 million didn’t make it
an estimated thousand in a 200 capacity fort forged basement
and every soul locked in place with chains and tears drowning their faces

crying on each other
urinating on each other
defecating on each other
because they could not move, and all they had, was each other

designated to manifests of a boat religiously pardoned,
onto an unknown land
human cargo, the name “Adam and Eve”
to the first boarded woman and man
an estimated 90 days at sea-disease death rape cannibalism
and murder, unwritten parts of the plan
shackled bodies stacked like sardines in a can

those whom died
thrown off over the side
taken by the tide
or the jaws of sharks swimming nearby

an estimated 37 million auctioned on blocks
an estimated 37 million became a new-world’s first exchange of stocks
an estimated 37 million became a new world’s crop, farming crops
an estimated 37 million in a new world’s history forgot

and today “black lives matter” is all we got

in reality,
the best indicator of future actions, if I’m asked
are the historical actions of the past

Filed Under: Culture, 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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