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Original submission by the author.

See how the opportunist operates to kick me while I’m down.
We have it hard, he don’t mind making it harder
You capitalizing to take my capital don’t make you a capitalist, 
Make it seem as if you’re trying to help me, with the intention of stepping on and running all over me. 
Stole my opportunity cause you don’t know nothing about unity and community. 
They wage war in peacetime, taking me for a fool.
There’s no point faking like we’re cool.
My hands are cuffed (disadvantage), so you slam me to the ground (take advantage). 
Why do you take advantage when I give it to you freely by voluntarily giving you my hands to cuff and extending my hand for your benefit?
Talk to him any kind of way, cause he let you get away. 
So he don’t have to stay in this place, 
I distance my advantage dealing with those who want to take advantage. 
To you, my misfortune is your fortune.
O now my defects are more defected than yours. 
I rather have mines than yours; to each its own.

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.

Kenneth Moore is an African-American writer and poet. He is the author of the book “Subconscious Poetry” (available at www.PrisonsFoundation.org) and has had one of his poems published in the book “Silent Screams: Poems from Uncharted Territory” by Dr. Unique Shaw-Smith. He is incarcerated in California.