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.

[Jeannette Lunete]

Very captivating write and dynamic tone. I quite enjoyed it. Keep it up!

[Sectando]

Thank You! :)

[wordman]

I enjoyed the read especially the last two stanzas I`m sure this is real life for some

[Sectando]

Thank You, wordman. Yes this is real life for many. There have been escapes from physical prisons in the past but you can never escape your own mind.

[wordman]

lord help us then there is a lot of sick minds out there

[Sectando]

that there are

[Eliza Mae]

I simply ADORE this poem!! How perfectly you ended this by concluding the prison is all figurative, imagined in your mind - yet so exquisitely real that the physical loneliness and confusion is apparent! Bravo! I see much of myself in you..

[Sectando]

Thank you so much!

[Eliza Mae]

The pleasure is mine.

[Cindy Marietta]

Wonderful! The imagery is fantastic and you did a great job of adding depth. Especially love the last line, very dramatic and captivating

[Sectando]

Thank You! My first priority when I write is that I enjoy it and that I am content with all the aspects in which I choose to express but it brings me much satisfaction if others can get the same enjoyment from one of my creations.

[Chase]

this is amazing! love the reference to The Raven.

[Sectando]

Thank you! I really appreciate the comment.