NOW | Prison Poetry | Web Exclusive | PBS

In this NOW web-exclusive video, former prison inmate Shrong Clemons reads some of the poetry he wrote while serving 20 months in the Sheridan Correctional Center of Illinois. This complements the June 1, 2007 NOW program investigating prison overcrowding on PBS (check local listings).

Clemons, who was serving his third prison sentence, is part of an innovative program at Sheridan that combines therapy, education, and follow-up aftercare to keep released convicts from returning to jail. He recites from three of his poems - "Kings," "Mother Salvation" and "Lost Soul" - and talks briefly about his work. A sampling from "Kings":

He recites from three of his poems - "Kings," "Mother Salvation" and
"Lost Soul" - and talks briefly about his work.

A sampling from "Kings":

"Socrates tried to steal my isosceles
Calling my prophesies catastrophes
Causing discrepancies as we are committed to being human trophies
Committing blasphemies as my brother and sister become enemies
Trying to keep me off track by lack of education and selling black sex
Making me forget about the actual facts
We've been concealed from our family tree
Trying to make us forget we are finally free
This is bigger than me ..."

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[TheSuzanneSunshower]

Folks who are interested in prison poetry and prison outreach programs might be interested in POP, the "Prison [Poetry] Outreach Program." POP is up for a Pepsi Refresh Challenge Grant and could use the votes!

[TheDukeOfFall]

C I L L my landlord.

[radbradhahayeah]

woah man, chill, s/he was just helping, no need to get offensive.

[dawn doak]

thats so true

[somepass1]

very good poetry i could feel it in my body

this guy is talented i could feel his pain

your pain it runs deep share it with me

[Brandopo77]

this is beautiful

brought tears to my eyes

you know the truth

i love u

[sy415]

Eye contact would bring more meaning to the words as well as feeling and life.