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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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Russell Wardlow

Until They Can, I Will

May 6, 2021 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

I have to be
what I couldn’t be
for beings
that have been
but can’t be
free us
free me
free them
freedom,
so we can be,
free,
to be
as We
in Me
with Me
in You
with You
until then
I am Us
and We bout that life
this life
Our Life Lived
WayOfLife

Filed Under: Love, Mercy, Spirit

Ra-Hotep

May 6, 2021 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

if not grace
propelling love
to create
how would I be
love
creates
peace
creation

Filed Under: Love, Mercy

Got a Grip

May 6, 2021 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

you want me
to come out
a hard worker’s grip-
calloused
but callouses
peel
and love
heals
and grip
is strengthened
not lost
I held on
I’ll hold strong

Filed Under: Love, Spirit

Shameless and Self-defecating Haiku

May 6, 2021 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

admission
everybody shits
judge your own
inhaled emissions

Filed Under: Mercy

Liberating Comforts

May 6, 2021 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

today
I had a
root beer float
I tasted freedom
yum!
what prison
when I’m free in my senses?!

Filed Under: Inside, Mercy, Spirit

Baby Booming Guards

May 6, 2021 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

I came in a young man, my eyes still hazy
but they opened quickly, becoming angry
see, the things which now make me crazy
is what’s in all the years they gave me
these prejudiced and ignorant staff that seldom out-age me
enrage me
guarding in a way that will further jade deface and yet, raise me
the boomin’ prison business is in their family
with a father or mother up, or in, parallel rankings
but they too, will one day, have babies
that will grow to spray, chain, and mace me

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.

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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