How can we rise up
if there’s nothing to stand on?
Because they stand tall.
Because there’s so many of us they stand on.
So how will they stay up,
if there’s no one left to stand on.
Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow
How can we rise up
if there’s nothing to stand on?
Because they stand tall.
Because there’s so many of us they stand on.
So how will they stay up,
if there’s no one left to stand on.
Putting someone’s personal pain in perspective
is like a mirror
once you see yourself
now you see me
We’re not taught nor encouraged to trust legal figures
they do more harm than help
so before I lash out…where do I go?
police
public defenders
parole officers
psychiatrists?
“pray for patience”
thought so
So I’ve noticed more police campaigns and commercials
advertising what they do for us
now that they are under scrutiny
using our tax dollars to promote support for them
the same understanding isn’t consistently extended
are we, the public, that they serve, also not due our sympathy?
politicians don’t really want police defunded
because they thrive on law and order and status quo
they need their class and positions protected and separated by law enforcement
or that would imbalance privilege
politicians and policeman want us to afford them room for growth and change
but they don’t afford us the same
SMH
uh, why do you have to remind us what you do for us
you must not have been doing it
I’m not everything you want me to be but this is my life
this is not syfy
by rights, this is my fight
I live on with connections coming and going like WiFi
my worst moment is a highlight
I try to dream under a night sky, I haven’t walked under for the last 6years of my life
I started writing because it helped me better reflect on hindsight
while realizing the fake love riding up on my blind side
the connotations and perceptions I fight
yet it gave me a platform and showed me fighting depression has an upside
now my down, was found upside
down, where you found me
out, where so many, even those too close, were counting
when the presence of loneliness kept surrounding
me, and I can’t swim but my words being heard kept me from drowning
deep..eh mhm!
so you can see with the eyes I see
can I speak free?
Enter into my dystopia
society-oppress
memories-repressed
emotions-depressed
head strong sleepy hollowness hanging hovering my chest
I’m a reject
I’m what they detest
I’m what they eject
they prefer I digress
and then regress
they chauffeur my worst, not innocent until proven guilty because the police cruiser my “guilt trip”, no need to detect
I’m no Ryan Seacrest
I cry in secret
I’m seen as a defect
I’m detached, and opportunity is honey, which comes with a catch-grab it from a killer bee’s nest
let me reset
OK, I admit
I wish all my bad I could remit
I submit
I repent
this is where I was sent
but not where I was meant
or was it?
redemption
it seems I’m exempt from contention
never mention content
dissention-contempt
intentions present
a new path I invent
now make way for my vision
listen..
I can change
I can chase
I can be chained
until my skin is chapped
there is no escape
mirror mirror shows My face
so if you get caught up in offering your overly destructive opinion, don’t stop there, offer to switch and take My place
Nebraska doesn’t hear us
or they just don’t care
and no one outside of Nebraska,
gives a damn about Nebraska!
when our community gave testimonies at a town hall
in front of the states legislators
about police brutality
and the overpopulation of our prisons
as an answer to the city state and nationwide protests
the governor, Pete Ricketts
answered them by
proposing more maximum beds to be created inside the prison
which doesn’t push people out
but keep them inside of prison
since no minimum beds are being created
even though we are in a emergency capacity
and the mayor, Jean Stothert
she increased the police budget
AND
gave us an INDIGENOUS DAY!
you gotta be kiddin me!