From the very beginning of Prisoner Express, we have received poetry from prisoners. As we received more submissions we took the hint and began to feature prisoner poems in our newsletter. With the help of volunteers we have staged a number of public readings of prisoner poems, as well as conducted poetry contests for prisoners who wish to participate. Poetry provides a means where the prisoners we work with can freely express themselves. We invite you to read their writings and step into their world.
Click here to see the anthologies, and see recent posts below.
Dreams are an essentially human thing and having them taken away steals life. This piece is a subtle shout to Langston Hughes and his many references to dreams deferred. Here they are not just deferred but kept out at all costs, by the structure of the environment and by the culture inside. I wrote this…
My poem is about my mom. I was in prison and lost her to an overdose. She was my best friend and for the longest time I felt like my life was over. I am an impulsive writer and one morning I woke up and grabbed the pen and paper and wrote this poem. I…
This poem is an attempt to describe to someone who has never done a “bid” or what is most commonly known as hard-time. It is very…
I took a walk around the world to ease my troubled mind I left my body lying somewhere in the sands of time But I watched the world float to the dark side of the moon I feel there is nothing I can do, yeah I watched the world float to the dark side of…
I’ve written now my words of wit
both in poem and prose
I’ve written in my birthday suit
(that means without my clothes)
I’ve written words the wise do quote
I’ve wrote for Hallmark cards
I’ve wrote for Poe and Longfellow
(some world famous bards)
They listened to evening records
Over bowls of pork and beans,
Plumping up their hearts,
Although times were very lean…
Sideways by Jonathan C. Holeman AI 7466 CCI 4A7 108 PO Box 1902 Tehachapi, CA 93581 She walks sideways sometimes, Usually when she drinks, But not always. Sometimes it’s pills, It used to be needles, But now she says she’s sober. Before that was a glass pipe tin foil, pot pipe, cigarette, and beer. I…
ID #550368 Michael Unit 2664 FM 2054 Tennessee Colony, TX, 75886 To a prisoner in these walls so grey, With a trace of light, Today’s the same as yesterday, And both as dark as night. Tomorrow? Well, I guess it’ll be about the same As all the rest have been. I’ll get up, exist another…
ID #634548 Hughes Unit Route 2, P.O. Box 4400 Gatesville, TX, 76507 Is it so bizarre we’d wish on a star Or toss pennies into a pond? For life steals our dreams with its nebulous schemes, The casts us to those realms beyond.
Frozen Sunrise By Bryan Kim #315649 WSP-WC-E-128 1313 N 13 Ave. Walla Walla, WA 99362 My breath clouds the chilly winter air, In the indigo world that exists in that precious Moment before the sun breaks the horizon. I can feel the icy tentacles of cold invading my Toes and fingers. A silver of ocher…
Programs
Current & Past Poetry Anthologies from Prisoner Express
Here's some of the past anthologies we've printed and mailed to prisoners enrolled in our poetry programs. All of these anthologies are available for download and printing (see our copyright statement below) – simply click the PDF you'd like to download.
Terms of Use & Copyright:
All of the work collected and available in this archive is owned by, and all rights reserved, to the author. If you would like to use, distribute, or change any of the work presented in this archive you must have explicit permission from the author.
Please notify us if you would like assistance contacting any of the authors featured in the Prisoner Express Archive.