Sectando's Prison

I am an innocent man

What crime have I committed?

My future lost to leave me damned

Within Sectando's prison

My cell is familiar, have I been here before?

Four walls, a window and no door.

My cellmates sit upon a shelf, 

many former cons themselves

to leave their mark upon the world

and quote the writer nevermore.

I get three meals but seldom hunger

My thoughts inflict me so.

To ask the question, yes I wonder

Upon the cot of midnight's gaze,

No whisper of a single phrase

To free me from my woe.

Forgive me God, my evil deeds

My soul cannot recall.

I have no joy of simple things

I have no joy at all.

So shall I wait upon this cot

and paint the walls with dread.

To ponder or to ponder not,

my heart constricts with every thought

I'll sit until they free me from this

Prison in my head

Author's Note

Originally I had the following line written: "and quote the writer nevermore" in reference to "The Raven". It was pointed out to me that the correct word in the poem is "quoth", however the reference in the line is a play on words by Poe and is not intended to be exact. Further, it would not make sense to use "quoth" within the context. This is why I specifically chose to italicise the word "nevermore" versus the whole line, making use of the word more of a direct reference to Poe rather than the whole line.

Reviews

[MomzillaNC]

Terrifc poem… great meter and rhyme and evocative imagery. Very well done.

NOTES:
"and quote the writer nevermore." Referencing Poe, I think it should be [quoth] as that's the term used in the "Raven" It's "Quoth the Raven 'Nevermore.'”

[Sectando]

Ah..thank you for that correction and for your review. Greatly appreciated.

[MomzillaNC]

You're welcome. And, it wasn't exactly a "correction." It was a recommendation that I just thought was in keeping with the reference to Poe's line.

[Dark Rose]

WOW This is a great peace. It has a lot of heart. Keep writing.

[Sectando]

Thank You, I really appreciate it.

[Laura Lynn]

That is how I feel. I want to be in prison figuratively sometimes really, truly, literally, or just beat myself to death by way of discipline. And I don't do it. I tried so hard for so many years to be so disciplined and yet I have been conditioned to defend and fabricate excuses for my failures, just because I can never be the best if there even is a best. There are top performers certainly, we know; then again, we have balance of living. Sometimes we fear being the best. What this has to do with being in prison? Possibly everything, but not totally, for there is some law and some type of standard, culture, patterns of being and behavior. One cannot live through life without experiencing regret, for to not experience regret, though we try to avoid it, is a part of our existence on earth. What do we do with regret? I say, see what is possible that is good for tomorrow that we can be a light for others in prison or not, jailed or uncaged.

[jjwilbourne]

I love the dark nature of this poem. nice rhyme schemes and really punchy language.
great work.

[Sectando]

Thanks, JJ!

[❀Subaru_Nyaa!
..]

I get three meals but seldom hunger, needs more that's why you are still hungry

[Sectando]

lol....seldom means rarely.

[❀Subaru_Nyaa!❀]

Ohh.......then my joke is now not valid, just pretend that it's funny

[❀Subaru_Nyaa!❀]

I am bad at making jokes so just let it slide and go on with your life

[Sectando]

lol it's all good, no worries.

[Ashira Macy]

This was a fantastic piece of poetry, and it seemed incredibly emotional as well. The mind truly can serve as our own personal prison, but it can also be a beautiful oasis in the never ending bustle of life. Sometimes being sent to solitary is just what we need. Or at least that is how I feel. Well done, and nice to meet you.

[Sectando]

Thank You, Ashira. Nice to meet you too.

[char]

I like that this poem is in the moment; just thoughts of a trapped person. Now, I do not know a thing about poetry, but I like how it makes you feel. The emotion it evokes... makes me feel comfortable somehow. Anyways, thanks for the request. I like poems like this; not too complicated and pretty. :)

[Sectando]

Thank you, Anna :)

[Sam]

Awesome poem, Sectando. I enjoyed reading it.

[Sectando]

Thanks, Sam.

[Madeline]

This was a great read for me, it flowed perfectly, no abrupt wording or word structure. It's haunting and portrays a clear message. I especially like, "To ponder or to ponder not, my heart constricts with every thought." Very nice.

[Sectando]

Thank You :)

[Rochelle]

This was a great read, I hope you continue writing such powerful and emotional poems

[Sectando]

Thanks, Belle :)

[Rochelle]

Your welcome

[Baby Ricochet]

Man is this depressing. I'm gonna have to lay down now

[Sectando]

I guess I should consider this poem effective then, eh?

Heh, sorry I got ya down =P