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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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Russell Wardlow

Two Pictures Make a Whole

May 5, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

I am
an adult and child
a man and boy
gentleman and ghetto
distinguished and disturbed
poor and rich
deaf, blind, and emissary
peasant, commoner, and dignitary
slave and King
Black, and god

Filed Under: Mercy, Spirit

And on this Hill, I shall Build My Temple

May 5, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

I am a temple,
within a temple

my temple,
within my temple,
within a temple
aligned with my temple-
to my temple,
in my temple,
in a temple

and let it all be So, and Sacred

Filed Under: Spirit

Wise Crisis

May 5, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

troubled by all that I know
overwhelmed by all there is
and still left unknown
troubled that I must disown
as soon as inherit
the two faces of a kingdom
bringing their charged expressions
to reign under one mirror
that tells two stories
one unseen
and one seen
and I am trouble
by what I don’t see that I see
and that which I see that I don’t see

Filed Under: Spirit

Mental Mishaps

May 5, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

for it is
that I tell my mind
how much it knows
and that I know women
and I know love
yet I still can not reconcile
the ways of my heart
for in company, I fall short
yet in my isolation, I thrive
albeit as a boy fantasizing
the mysteries of love
and the wisdoms in women
unable to resolve the opposing nature
I know to be my grandest compliment
shhh, and get behind me mind!
for you know not that you know not!
and so you confuse thine own heart
conflicted of one’s own true desires
my plea for respite and resolution
but still my mind revolts and repels
seeking power and truth
to the likes it can never understand
expressing principles with such ignorance
has made me every bit as dangerous
as that which I know ignorance to be
and that which I conveniently forget
the revolving ignorance in me

Filed Under: Inside, Love

Sound of God, or Love

May 5, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

first language was silent
utterances decrypted by observance
responses absorbed in contemplation
and answers born from discernment
but we were given voices
that it may not be left to our lonely,
desperate and worldly imaginations
fathoming the many sounds of “God”

or,
if you prefer it,
“Love”

and who is it
whom seamless fairs
in deciphering message
from messenger
by foreign rituals of
observance,
contemplation,
discernment?

as One,
begets the Other
whether heard
or deafened

either way, nature
and your voice
sound just like “God”

or,
if you prefer it,
Love!

Filed Under: Love, Spirit

Nature/Natural/Neutral

May 3, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

life already has a philosophy
we don’t need yours!

Filed Under: 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

  • Human Terrorists and Humanitarians May 5, 2022
  • Obtuse May 5, 2022
  • Lost Senseless, in this World May 5, 2022
  • Misguided Astronautical Musings May 5, 2022
  • Real Views May 5, 2022

Themes

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