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. The Prison Journalism Project has verified the writer’s identity and basic facts such as the names of institutions mentioned. The work is lightly edited but has not been otherwise fact-checked.

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Kenneth Moore

Kenneth Moore writes the following about himself: I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, to Kathy Robinson and Kenneth Moore, senior. I am African-American and the youngest of three boys. I’ll go to my youthful offender parole hearing in 2027. I am pleased to announce a new book by Kenneth Moore, which you can read or download for free at www.PrisonsFoundation.org. I had one of my poems published in a book entitled “Silent Screams: Poems from Uncharted Territory,” copyright by Dr. Unique Shaw-Smith.