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.

[AprilRN1210]

this is the first piece I have read of yours, and I am very impressed. I thoroughly enjoyed this.. from the cadence, the rhymes, the flow, the imagery, and the emotion.. I can relate to this on many levels, which only added to the intensity and power.. those voices that haunt me inside my prison often make me wonder the same things... have learned, though, that I am not waiting on someone to save me, working on saving myself.. one damn demon and brick at a time.. well done..

[Sectando]

Thank you so much, April. I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[AprilRN1210]

you're quite welcome.. nice to meet you:)

[Sectando]

likewise :)

[Woody]

a very good poem indeed Sectando. I really enjoyed this a lot.
aren't we all bound to become prisoners of our own minds in the end?
great rhyme and meter.

[Sectando]

Thanks, Woody!

[Pryde Foltz]

You are a very skilled and eloquent pen, Sectando. Me thinks you have been up to this for a while.

[Sectando]

Thank you very much for your kind words. Actually, I have not. I've been struggling for a while with identity and just enjoying anything at all so I thought of things I was good at as a child and one of the only things that stuck out in my mind was writing. I tended to do well with poems and essays in school so I thought I might try to explore it more and see what I can write.

[Pryde Foltz]

Well you have the knack ... but don't worry about identity ... just be:)

Have a listen if you have the time:)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWKOKjsMCJk

[C. Rose]

"to ponder or to ponder not," is my favorite line

From the start I thought the twist was going to be "prison in my head", but I became confused when you talked about shelves and walls.

Great topic. I think writing about being stuck in your head (or similar topic) should be considered a standard rite of passage for writers.

Thanks for sharing,

[Sectando]

Thanks for the review. The poem is about depression, the prison in our minds but also comparing the spaces we choose to reside in when subjected to these feelings. For me it's always been a bedroom.

[Sectando]

its********

[C. Rose]

OH! I interpreted "I get three meals but seldom hunger" incorrectly. I thought "hunger" meant that you are fine, you meant "hunger" like crave or desire. The depression context and that line makes sense now.

[Matching Socks]

Very very good.
Love the way you approached this one, prisoner of our own minds...

[C McNear]

I really like this! I've always had a soft spot for poetry and anything dark. And I can really relate to the being trapped in your own mind.

[Sectando]

Thank you for sharing your appreciation :)

[Sierra D3]

Outstanding! My favorite part was when you quoted Edger Allen Poe Poem "The raven" which is my personal favorite. I loved this from beginning to the end. You have some true talent. :)

[Sectando]

Thank you for your kind words. I'm truly glad that you enjoyed it :)

[Rene Salinas]

My own prision. This idea is haunting indeed and the reference to Poe well enchanting although as themes go the mental image which traps you is not trascendental yet the unfamiliar presence that he was decribing... "Although no future holds" "Will it still be there ?". But the scene created is well described. The closest metaphor I can think of is the "Building of images which become material inside" as fear takes over we believe that in order to be safe we need to stay within that, which we have created.

But then again in that "writers" own words: "There are some qualities- some incorporate things, That have a double life, which thus is made, A type of that twin entity which springs."

Time to shut the windows just in case.

Thankyou

[Coyote Poetry]

"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"
I know the place above. Life lacking substance and reason leave us in self-made prisons. The above lines made me evaluate my life. I enjoyed the poem. Poetry support to create thoughts, places and faces. This poem did. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Stonz P.]

You a Poe fan?
Me too.

Again, a good piece. I do not know if it is autobiographical in nature but I hope it is not because I could feel the emotions.
Great write.