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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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If a Prisoner was a Politician

April 10, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

I recently heard a prisoner say,
“we invest in weapons of mass destruction
but not in the uplifting
of the lowest class of people”
slightly paraphrased
so the message can be clear
now reflect
…
has war-
its potential
and preparation-
become our sole identity?
what are we defending against
when we are mostly defending a fence
built to keep some out
and some in-
whether borders
or prisons-
or destroy those
with different worldviews
billions of dollars in aid given
to those unable to defend themselves
but America, I say to you
what about us
where is the investment in us
a handout, is not an investment
it is a crippling
it creates stagnation
and resentment
with the allusion and benefit
of rewarded ineptitude
creating competing class views
detaching the masses from the few
so the weapons of mass destruction
are really the lack of investment
in our urban locations,
schools, teachers,
jobs, women, and youth

Filed Under: Inside, 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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