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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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High Thoughts

June 1, 2021 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

to a person in prison. Let’s say
me. Viewing a person who thinks
highly of themselves
what a wonderful shell, to Crack!

bravado is faked or feigned in prison,
but whichever ‘f’ word bravado follows
it is a constant hard pill to swallow
yet it is earned

I know the line between thinking highly
of oneself is an ignorant pride in
the world. I know that line is as thin
as the fear that cracks it

In prison, thoughts of self are had, but
they are put to the test, and most
willingly give their bodies as the
ultimate price of how they see themselves

what tests have you weathered?
huh, Ms or Mr high and mighty
how did you earn this presence
that loosely flaunts vigorously?

would you suffer for your anecdotal
servings of pride? would you sacrifice
every comfort for your right to be seen
and titled as you believe yourself to be

in the face of fear and self-preservation, who
are you anyway? who is any of us?
do you even know? do you wanna find out?
even in prison there are the meek

those aren’t weak men, but men who have
already proved all there is to prove
whom rather be within themselves
not imposed upon everyone else

bring your chin down a notch
you’ll still be seen

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.

Read More

  • Whose Mind is it Anyway June 30, 2022
  • Objects June 30, 2022
  • Same Thang, Different Name June 30, 2022
  • Optical Ill-lusions June 30, 2022
  • Hollow Symbols June 30, 2022

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