Prison Poems | Examples of Prison Poetry

And the Lord will say to them on Judgment Day, “I was hungry, and you defunded my food aid programs. I was thirsty, and you rolled back drinking water protections. I was a stranger, and you snatched me and deported me. I was naked, and you gave tax breaks to billionaires. I was sick, and you cut Medicaid and Medicare. I...

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[Verse 1] I’ve been searching for answers In the silence of the night Why’d you walk away from love Without a word, without a fight? It’s hard enough with just the truth— But the silence cuts deeper than goodbye. [Pre-Chorus] Every moment feels like a prison without end The verdict was spoken, but I can’t comprehend Chains of memories, still hangin’ in the wind Living in...

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All the pure thinkers are slave to the Poet Their theories self-serving whose quotients divide With ‘facts’ that convict them to prisons constructed From every transcendence — their numbers can’t hide (Saint David’s Pennsylvania: May, 2025) ...

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It was just a glance, a spark that locked me in the prison of my thoughts, a hazy dream that repeats every night like the refrain of a lost soul, never close, yet never far, you were a constellation illuminating every corner, I found you in crowds and empty rooms, your face lived in every reflection of my...

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I am poor and Black, living in Florida, Where the sun shines bright but justice hides. My rent climbs higher than my paycheck dares, And landlords call it legal—so it stands. I walk through heat that melts my hope, No breeze for me, no break in sight. Police lights flicker like a warning flame— Too often, they stop me, never explain. The schools...

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Interview with an Angel After a long surgery brewed in urgency, I lie supine with the body pining with fury With eyelids nearly closed seeking divine mercy To deliver me from the painful misery. I seemed to have besought His grace for lengthy hours When...

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With one hand laid upon the Holy book The new Judge raises her other hand high. She swears an oath that millions before her promised: Faithful service, unbiased justice, no compromise. I, Hannah Duggan, do solemnly swear That I will...

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Gray Blue, by Lisa Norton Gray skies. Gray cement walls. Gray gravel. Gray emotion as I lead myself single file into the long line that yet again stands before me. Yellow shirts. Yellow skin. Yellow anxiety within the veins. How can it be so lonely in a place so full? White pads. White eyes. White teeth. Nothing is...

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To my children and grandchildren, Ask God to help you forgive. When you experience hate or hurt any day. Human pride hates to admit, That we are a "Fleshy Mess!" Watch the news there's nothing to guess. We are made to be like our Creator, Designed for caring and love. That's why we must cast our eyes above. Countless times I've been hurt and...

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In iron shadows, cold and tight/ I sank beneath the weight of night/ A crime unclaimed, a fate unfair/ And all my prayers fell on deaf air/ For six months, my tears took flight/ Rising like embers into the night/ I called for grace, for mercy's hand/ But silence met my last demand/ Sentenced, shackled, years were spun/ A war begun, one battle won/ I...

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Walked in through those gates, the legends foretold/ valley of death? Try a circus of old/ The baddest dude charged, Timber! Came the call/ He fell like a Jenga tower, five stories tall/ A gang rolled up, thinking strength in their mix/ Twenty-five sprawled out, my karate did the tricks/ One guy swung a mop, I said, nice try my dude/ Bruce...

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Crime never pays, sooner or later the long arm of the law will reach you. Quote by poet. Sergeant Tim Wheeler’s shift was nearing the end, it had been a long day. He put his coat on, and then the phone rang, it's all I need, Tim thought. He answered and a concerned voice said," Sam Jones has been...

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Farther and farther you go I hope you dig yourself a grave Buried and no way out Without a coffin so I can watch you choke On your sins you have made, I hope karma comes and spits on your name We were once family now I tear the title from the frames Deeper and deeper you dig You think you can get...

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You learn to embrace your very own darkening When trapped in a prison of your own making. When it is the lights that were always looming, Yet never letting the light in for any healing....

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Circumstantial evidence is weak, reticent statements left outta discovery; witnesses for the defense riskn purgery, cuz if they don't fear God, it's cuz they ain't heard of me! I relish the street's imperfections, being so absolutely obstreperous, cantankerous representation populating the office of the president. Miscalculation's evident, scary in its own, as we all kno...

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