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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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Mercy

All Things Come to Crossroads

March 28, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

how long will I take this indignity…
if the cost is too great
than what time will ever be best
if preservation is less sought
for truth justice and righteousness
than for self?

Filed Under: Mercy, Trauma

What is Reason, for the Selfish Mind?

March 24, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

the selfish irony of
receiving counsel
on patience and setbacks
from a lifer
was lost on me
until now

Filed Under: Mercy

Reflective Rhyme Schemes

March 21, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

I used to see tragedies
as God’s way of getting back at me
maybe because I was an accident, black, or a bastard seed
and as I grew not mattering, combative, and stacking up casualties
but now I see a Masterpiece
two mystics and mystical misfits mythically matching matter with mastery
the mystery is magically-
woven in the crafted tapestry
and as it so happens,
Love is the fantastically fashioned fabric that fits us Naturally

Filed Under: Love, Mercy, Trauma

and Still

March 16, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

that which I thought I was
I am
unbecoming
my thoughts exactly
I am
unbecoming
but this is cause for
celebration
because this is not destruction
there is order promised by chaos
and that which I
understand my Self to be
I will be
therefore I am
still becoming

Filed Under: Mercy, Spirit

Pros of a Liberated Con-Science

March 11, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

we can’t let the moments that they define
be the moments that we decide
message to mySelf-
inside and out

Filed Under: Mercy

What A Sight

March 9, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

appeal is such a task
a veil is but a mask
and as paint peels
it reveals
small glimpses
of first beauty
built upon
but now
smothered beneath,
unknown,
seldom appreciated
yet
it allures me so
getting to it
is a hardship I must employ
this chipping away at old paint
then sanding
smoothing splintered wood
may embolden a new pride
and I desire new polishing
but all that was,
must be done away with
to arrive back on foundation
renovating this home of mine
alas,
beauty takes time
and once it is revealed…
beauty is mine!

Filed Under: Mercy, 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

  • 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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