I always like to give as much publicity as I can, to the writings and words from inside the state's cages of repression. It is in the hope that I, as well as others can grasp what this system does to the human mind. In spite of the inhumane, brutal, unnatural conditions of the prison system, the human mind still tries to express itself, and does it wonderfully.
The latest edition of Words of Fire, No. 9, has just been released:
Greetings!Download the PDF HERE:
We are excited to announce that we finally published the 9th edition of Words of Fire, our semi-regular ‘zine of writings, drawings, and poetry by people in prison!!
It was actually completed in May 2017 and we’ve been sending it into prisons for the past year. We’ve just been slow to post it on our website. It includes some great poems and essays, along with beautiful drawings!! Although many of the submissions are from North Carolina and nearby states, our cover images was drawn by someone from a prison in Oregon!
We are incredibly grateful to all the authors for sharing their work with us. We also owe a huge thank you to the dedicated students from Criminal Justice Awareness and Action at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They spent the 2016-2017 school year typing up, proofreading and then laying out Words of Fire 9. Check CJAA out on Facebook as well.
Check out past issues of Words of Fire, along with a print-ready version of WOF 9 on our projects page.
It is filled with outpourings of real emotion, in the form of poems and prose. The two poems below are ones that I found particularly moving.
The Truth Is
By M.J.B.
They say the truth will set you free
But nah... not me..... I disagree
say tha truth is a disease
& it could kill you..... like a terminal illness.
Especially when the truth is not the truth at all
& who’s 2 say the truth is what you saw
& who knows who was involved
& who knows... you know... you don’t have a clue at all
but ‘chu act like you do.....
but ‘chu never even knew..... The few... Minor details
& gossip is so rude & it’s sumthin’ you should not do -
unless you’re a female.
For the we’ll make an exception.
because today my friend... I’ve had a recollection
AN inception..... That tha truth is not tha truth anymore
& tha youth..... is not tha youth anymore.
They are but yet A vessel
A personification of everything you saw fit.
& what ‘chu see is what ‘chu get
but what ‘chu see is not legit
A minor misconception of a misfit.
Because tha truth is not tha truth anymore
& tha youth..... is not tha youth anymore
The truth is... the youth is....
A reflection of what ‘chu did..... it’s useless
When it eats away at your tissue like the bite of a brown recluse
does.
& it’s all because.....
the guardians that were put before the guardians -
that were put before you... Never knew... Luv..... That’s why you do
the thangz you do -
because you just don’t have a clue... Luv
but who does..... The truth was _
this world doesn’t luv you... At all.
IT Loves what ‘chu have 2 offer,
it luv’s what ‘chu have 2 bring 2 the table
& when they use that all up you’re disabled, you’re labeled -
As a liability.
& tha truth is.....
That I don’t know the truth at all
I’m just giving my perception of what I saw
My opinion about the I..... in dominion
so don’t ask why... when you’re descendin’
open your eyez... cuz they’re pretendin’
& tha truth is.....
only you are held accountable for what ‘chu did
So whether tha truth lives... or truth lies
Society only believes in tru Lies
deceptions that’re deeper than tha bluest tides
Tha Bluest Eyes.....
Couldn’t see through tha deciever
So if you died they won’t cry
& the truth.....
Nah it won’t come out neither.
In Vain
By M.W.
Butner, NC
After all the protesting,
Shouting and wailing around
town
U entered their establishment
And sat down
Ordering a drink
And Resting your feet
Frustrated over Mike Brown
Lying in the street
What you all are doing
Is righteous an I respect your
minds
But did U think about
Who you were spending ur
money with
When U made them signs
My daughter seen the Protesters
And fell in love wit shorty boots
I refuse to purchase Timberlands
Because Darren Wilson chose to
shoot
They refuse to recognize evidence
And pursue the Case B
They even follow you around in
Macy
You witness what Walmart done
to Tracy [Morgan]
Yet U continue to spend money
At these places
While consciously knowin they
are racists
Damaging Property
This must STOP
No more Homemade cocktails
And Throwing rocks
If U want their attention
Then We must boycott
Those who choose not
That’s a shame
It only means
Renisha McBride, Jesus “Chey”
Huenia, Ezell Ford, Omar
Arneco, John Gnawono, Eric
Ganner, Tamir Rices, and Mike
Brown
DIED IN VAIN
