Prison journalism: What kind of woman

Prison journalism: What kind of womanIncarcerated female writer shares a poem on her strength as a woman behind bars.

by Prison Journalism Project

03-08-2023 18:18

in Prison Journalism

Behind prison bars. Image by Unsplash

Prison Journalism Project trains incarcerated writers to become journalists and publishes their stories. Subscribe to Inside Story to receive exclusive behind-the-scene looks at our best stories, as well as author profiles and other insights.

--

What Kind of Woman am I?

One who will not be abused or misused

By losers, boozers, or drug users

I will stand tall by my Man, hand in hand

With our dreams and plans ahead of us

Ready to board the bus and go

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I'm a woman with no back up in me

Don't have to strap gats or splat cats

I'm on that upward groove

Steady trying to improve the world, myself, my man

Baby that's my plan

--

I'm a Woman who won't be stepped on, slept on, or crept on

I stand erect, demand and command respect

In my manner and talk, in my swagger and walk

And even in facilities which grate my sensibilities

I utilize my abilities to create my own calm

It's like a balm to my soul, which keeps me a whole

Woman

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You may try to discredit, dishonour and reject me

I've got Christian brothers who try to correct me

But you can't write a story that's already been written

You can't crush a heart that's already been smitten

I am who God made me, He calls me Michelle

If you can't seem to deal you can go straight to

Hey now, I ain't on that either

I'm a Woman who loves

Now can you see her?

--

Disclaimer: The views in this article are those of the author. Prison Journalism Project has verified the writer's identity and basic facts such as the names of institutions mentioned.

Written by Alisha Ward for The Prison Journalism Project

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