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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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Spirit

Of One Accord

May 5, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

how long
before my listeners, listen?
before my believers, believe?
before my circle encloses
and we act in unity
from nucleus
just as the unambiguous seed-
still becomes the tree
with many branches
as is known
in a blind world
it takes courage to see
how long
before you are reminded by me?

Filed Under: Spirit

But I Choose to Live There

May 5, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

I found belief easiest
in the aftermath
of dearest hopes reap
but I as well,
found it most restorative
before my senses could grasp proof
that it would come to be
for what I knew
came to be
and what a thought
to know my thoughts
so powerful
and empowering
that what I will
has more than potential
to be
if I but only step
out on a ledge

Filed Under: Spirit

What Good is Advice Nowadays?

May 5, 2022 by Russell Wardlow Leave a Comment

be it not my words too empty
but defiled hearts too full and plenty
to hear of anything unhallowed
shallow be thy name which follows

Filed Under: Spirit

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

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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

Themes

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