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Prose of a Con

Poetry and Prose by Russell Wardlow

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Culture

signs, symbols, symptoms, and systems

What is Darker than Dark?

April 8, 2021

you know how they say happy wife, happy life well, energy transfers those you surround…

More What is Darker than Dark?

History of People of African Descent in the World and U.S.

April 7, 2021

history books inside of a curriculum of indoctrination as opposed to educating is more histrionics…

More History of People of African Descent in the World and U.S.

Residue (song by WayOfLife)

April 7, 2021

feel like I’m at the bottom, even when I’m at the top well everything don’t…

More Residue (song by WayOfLife)

Learning to Speak and Live for More than Just Me

April 6, 2021

I tried calling myself an activist but that is a process a process of enduring…

More Learning to Speak and Live for More than Just Me

A-merit-cuffs

April 5, 2021

since birth I was arrested A-meri-cuffs but we are divorced A-marry-ka you do not make…

More A-merit-cuffs

Can I Live?

April 4, 2021

Sarah Grimke said, I ask no favor for my sex, all I ask from our…

More Can I Live?

the trial for George Floyd

April 4, 2021

what is at stake and on trial is police accountability policy culpability conscious and unconscious…

More the trial for George Floyd

Fool, Money is the Fuel

April 3, 2021

laws always take time to change and then self-interest or public outcry… then a new…

More Fool, Money is the Fuel

Don’t Bother

April 2, 2021

you don’t have enough time to hear the story of my pain so don’t ask…

More Don’t Bother

Benefit by Association

April 2, 2021

I’m glad Georgia is finally changing from not having hate crime laws it’s unfortunate that…

More Benefit by Association

Religiously Political

April 1, 2021

we go against God yet claim to act in God’s will we go against Jesus…

More Religiously Political

Don’t Take it Personal, it’s Just What They Do

April 1, 2021

it seems like such a long time since the mass building of railroads opiates, grains…

More Don’t Take it Personal, it’s Just What They Do

Love/Hate Relations

April 1, 2021

I love culture I love language I hate color I hate age I love features-…

More Love/Hate Relations

America continues to say, f#You!

April 1, 2021

how can our democracy be the moral police of the world and our laws be…

More America continues to say, f#You!

Priviledream

April 1, 2021

the real American dream is the privilege, or ignorance to actually believe in it I…

More Priviledream

Ultimatum

March 30, 2021

it seems at the summit of black sovereignty and liberation is to not have to…

More Ultimatum

Color Doesn’t Matter that it Matters

March 30, 2021

my, this coat of superficial yet rich historical element surfacing shallowly as an arbitrary color,…

More Color Doesn’t Matter that it Matters

matters of perspective (grumblings from the top)

March 19, 2021

black lives matter, that’s prescribed everyone matters, that’s subscribed everything matters, that’s contrived but everything…

More matters of perspective (grumblings from the top)

So Disrespectful

March 17, 2021

the problem with social consciousness… the rebuttals my homie said, you know what’s coming next…

More So Disrespectful

Bordered Up

March 14, 2021

boundaries create lines lines not to be crossed without permission but before there were lines…

More Bordered Up

Still dream, my honey roasted caramel-colored black Kings

March 13, 2021

and they say TV isn’t informing but I worry about the stories they are and…

More Still dream, my honey roasted caramel-colored black Kings

Rave About the Butterfly, but You Better Forget About the…

March 10, 2021

you love my words just not the heart it comes from you love my slang…

More Rave About the Butterfly, but You Better Forget About the…

Aiming from the Ground (Lyrics)

March 10, 2021

(chorus/hook): I been 100 I keep it 100 I’m going a hunned I move like…

More Aiming from the Ground (Lyrics)

Black Cotton

March 10, 2021

black sheep, black sheep how are you seen? black sheep, black sheep what do you…

More Black Cotton

Caused Condition (Lyrics)

March 10, 2021

(bridge): you need me you need me… you made me… (chorus/hook): ima be the bad…

More Caused Condition (Lyrics)

Killing Empathy

March 8, 2021

Elijah McClain Elijah McClain Elijah McClain Elijah McClain black people, we’re already seen as different…

More Killing Empathy

White People

March 8, 2021

the more I learn about me the more I learn of our history the more…

More White People

Foster Child

March 6, 2021

If all you do is punish me how can you ever see as anything other…

More Foster Child

The 13th Illusion

March 5, 2021

Emancipation is just etiquette, it armed the hatred swarmed more harm for the hated outdoing…

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Kaep-italizing

March 5, 2021

Capitol says more to me than a state’s highest city, but the many unheralded and…

More Kaep-italizing

American Chess

March 5, 2021

The rules: Civil Savagery If Black and White are the sides, then Color is the…

More American Chess

Road Trip

March 2, 2021

you see me but you don’t see me you hear me but you don’t hear…

More Road Trip

Freedom Writer

February 27, 2021

often we do the things we have yet to do what started off in our…

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Addressing Life

February 20, 2021

there is a place to which we all exist and that’s everywhere but there are…

More Addressing Life

Harambee

February 6, 2021

we can’t strengthen America with policies that separate its families we can’t celebrate America when…

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5 Jigsawed African American History Pieces

February 1, 2021

battered black memories black savages blackened eyes civil liberties yet ask for black submission and…

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Roses are Basic

January 20, 2021

Violets are deceitful, duplicitous and second-tier and Red is too common and choices are too…

More Roses are Basic

Evolving Dream

January 15, 2021

Give a Beat · "Evolving Dream" by Russell Wardlow A once hoped for, and seemingly…

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I Am U

December 8, 2020

I am black, I am white, I am brown, I am yellow, I am mixed,…

More I Am U

This Sys-tem

December 5, 2020

This sys-tem is like a cyst this sys-tem is a stem of oppression and isms…

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Projection Deflection

December 3, 2020

If a person stands in their truth, they are seeking attention. If self diagnosed, they…

More Projection Deflection

Dear Parole Board

December 2, 2020

Dear Parole Board I wasn’t supposed to be here Do you know the dark I…

More Dear Parole Board

Symbliminal Messaging

December 1, 2020

Removing symbols aren’t the solution but in a society of symbolism and their creeds idolization…

More Symbliminal Messaging

Riding the Emotional Hump

November 30, 2020

I’m inconsistent insufferable overbearing and insensitive at times I say I’m passionate but I may…

More Riding the Emotional Hump

Rapped Tight Prose Verse

November 29, 2020

I’m tired of living this life I’m tired of living this life I had to…

More Rapped Tight Prose Verse

Friendliest Foes

November 27, 2020

Agreement often times creates ignorance and blindness it’s in the face of opposition that we…

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Our state- ran by brilliant billionaires

November 25, 2020

Uh we have the most billionaires per capita in the U.S. here in Nebraska. Pete…

More Our state- ran by brilliant billionaires

Capitalism rites, write rights

November 24, 2020

This country was always capitalists or at least headed that direction there’s no heart in…

More Capitalism rites, write rights

Unheralded Nebraska Corrections

November 23, 2020

Everyone flies over walks past or stops by this middle America Nebraska our crime lowered…

More Unheralded Nebraska Corrections

Drugged

November 22, 2020

Drugs or die do drugs or die doing drugs cuz I wanna die doing drugs…

More Drugged

Avarice Society

November 21, 2020

Why is it so hard for us to create healthy changes to our perception, thinking…

More Avarice Society

Contempt Contentment

November 20, 2020

Right before I enter my room I look into it’s narrow window and it’s small,…

More Contempt Contentment

Compiled Compliance

November 19, 2020

You want me to be myself but more like you, more in the way that…

More Compiled Compliance

Fighting Odds

November 18, 2020

If the faculties I possess, which help me to identify my emotions and react with…

More Fighting Odds

Peeping Through My Window Part 4

November 17, 2020

“Peeping through my Window pt 4” I’m a boy. From 2007, I left my group…

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Peeping Through My Window Part 3

November 16, 2020

“Peeping thru my Window pt 3” I’m a boy. Relationships, where do I even start…

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Peeping Through My Window Part 2

November 15, 2020

“Peeping through my Window pt 2” I’m a boy. We all gotta grow up sometime…

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Peeping Through My Window Part 1

November 14, 2020

“Peeping through my Window Pt 1” I’m a boy. We have this patriarchal society that…

More Peeping Through My Window Part 1

Looking Back-in

November 13, 2020

The saddest thing is making plans far down the road at a date where you’ll…

More Looking Back-in

Pressure

November 13, 2020

Ran from too many lectures and pressures, back pressed to the fire exit doors Jump…

More Pressure

Formatted Function

November 12, 2020

Function is a formed matter of perception function can’t deal with dysfunction nor can it…

More Formatted Function

You Don’t Know How I Feel

November 11, 2020

You don’t know how I feeel …inside you don’t know how I feel …inside you…

More You Don’t Know How I Feel

E=MC^2

November 10, 2020

Life is your economy fueled by energy, empathy and economics on this journey the car…

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Societal Farmers

November 9, 2020

Take a look at who you process those innocent kids thrusted into statistics poverty and…

More Societal Farmers

Changed the Same

November 7, 2020

Reva Siegal created a term called–preservation through transformation–wherein white privilege is maintained, while the rules…

More Changed the Same

Chained Change

November 5, 2020

Prison is a unique walk that is, if you’re looking to grow and mature because…

More Chained Change

Black Pandemic

November 4, 2020

Promises “progress” poverty public policies politicians profiteering police prosecutor prison parole and presidents(dead or alive)

More Black Pandemic

Vote: Biden/Trump

November 3, 2020

Voting either or is better than neither nor Because if we’re only spoken for Then…

More Vote: Biden/Trump

So smart I’m Stupid

November 2, 2020

Too smart for my own good too smart to do no good but too smart…

More So smart I’m Stupid

Uneven Measure

November 2, 2020

I have a question why when our public servants make mistakes they are able to…

More Uneven Measure

Better if I Say it

November 1, 2020

Gotta get used to talking about myself if I want the world to know me…

More Better if I Say it

No middle

November 1, 2020

I only feel when I’m threatened or stressed I have to go thru something to…

More No middle

Psychos Therapy

November 1, 2020

Psychotherapists should look to set up in prisons if they really wanna make a difference…

More Psychos Therapy

Cultural Wardlow

November 1, 2020

I’m a cultural war I’m a culture at war I’m a casualty of war I’m…

More Cultural Wardlow

Young R.U.S.S’ WayOfLife-style

October 29, 2020

Racism, injustices, inequalities and their perpetrators never rest. As we speak, Trump is trying to…

More Young R.U.S.S’ WayOfLife-style

Grew up, I’m-prisoned

October 29, 2020

I grew up mother incarcerated father deceased I grew up as a foster child and…

More Grew up, I’m-prisoned

P.O.W.E.R.

October 27, 2020

When it comes to matters of power, the human in us is first reluctant- That’s…

More P.O.W.E.R.

White Knights

October 26, 2020

The effects of colonialism in this country have not dissipated. The crippling clutches of capitalism…

More White Knights

Plucked Flowers

October 24, 2020

We’re all plucked flowers paying attention to the surface while the reality beneath is of…

More Plucked Flowers

Errday my birthday

October 21, 2020

I die so much daily living to reflect on the happening the next day surprised…

More Errday my birthday

You’re smarter than this

October 20, 2020

“You know you better, you’re smarter than thisyou have so much potential, but you harbor…

More You’re smarter than this

Rewarded Punishers

October 13, 2020

Imprison me and it’s a political and capitalistic win-win Prepackaged, a voteless tax write off…

More Rewarded Punishers

Misconstrued Nature

October 8, 2020

People will find a reason to separate and hate if not given enough reasons to…

More Misconstrued Nature

White Vigilante

October 6, 2020

Born on my own land I am my own man I have my own plans…

More White Vigilante

Everyone is a Felon

October 6, 2020

Either in conscience or act. The only line of difference is my color. Every so…

More Everyone is a Felon

Privates Exposed

October 4, 2020

Let’s expose our privates. All privatized industries should be leaned on so heavily with oversight,…

More Privates Exposed

Upstanding

October 2, 2020

How can we rise up if there’s nothing to stand on? Because they stand tall.…

More Upstanding

I is U

October 1, 2020

Putting someone’s personal pain in perspective is like a mirror once you see yourself now…

More I is U

Cop Out

September 29, 2020

We’re not taught nor encouraged to trust legal figures they do more harm than help…

More Cop Out

What have you done for me lately

September 26, 2020

So I’ve noticed more police campaigns and commercials advertising what they do for us now…

More What have you done for me lately

Take my Place

September 24, 2020

I’m not everything you want me to be but this is my lifethis is not…

More Take my Place

Here-US

September 20, 2020

Nebraska doesn’t hear us or they just don’t care and no one outside of Nebraska,…

More Here-US

We, the many

September 17, 2020

Every able bodied man and woman should seek to create platforms from the positions of…

More We, the many

Blasé

September 3, 2020

Sky is blue everything black and white I am grey…or gray

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More than an Object of your Subjection

September 1, 2020

We won’t shut up and dribbleWe won’t juke and jiveWe won’t stop kneelingWe won’t stop…

More More than an Object of your Subjection

Cost to Change

August 31, 2020

Money!That is the barometer of changeThose who have it vs those whom don’tThose that have…

More Cost to Change

Paint Poems

August 28, 2020

I paint moments and put them in poetrycuz if I rapped it most would attack…

More Paint Poems

Pros’ Poems

August 13, 2020

Don’t walk away from medon’t build a fortressand forestour fortuneforcingour forfeitforgive me for myinformal forumsforages…

More Pros’ Poems

Real Paradise

August 6, 2020

Within our SPIRITS Flowing throughout our bodies Which we can express thru our hearts and…

More Real Paradise

Fight or Flight Fright Night

August 5, 2020

You fight or flight change I fight or flight for change Though my fright of…

More Fight or Flight Fright Night

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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.

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  • Barefoot Bravado April 8, 2021
  • What is Darker than Dark? April 8, 2021
  • Dear Correctional Officer April 8, 2021
  • Deep-end April 8, 2021
  • Scribing My Pulse April 8, 2021

Themes

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  • Trauma

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