Posted inPoetry

V.O.T.E

by Lorenzo Michael Hall Jr. August 3, 2022August 23, 2022

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V.O.T.E

by Lorenzo Michael Hall Jr., Prison Journalism Project
August 3, 2022

<h1>V.O.T.E</h1>
<p class="byline">by Lorenzo Michael Hall Jr., Prison Journalism Project <br />August 3, 2022</p>
 
<p class="poetry-indent">To those who have an ear let them hear:</p>
<p class="poetry-indent">A VOICE of defiance from the next generation of society’s victim of recidivism;</p>
<p class="poetry-indent">a VOICE on the other side of the spectrum where color bears no significance but Black Lives Matter more than criticism;</p>
<p class="poetry-indent">a VOICE longing for reciprocation from anyone schooled by the amazingly miseducated Lauryn Hill;</p>
<p class="poetry-indent">an incendiary but instrumental VOICE fueled by Malcolm and tuned by Tupac, you feel me?</p>
<p class="poetry-indent">a VOICE meant to be spoken in unison with a chorus of a chosen few warriors and revolutionaries;</p>
<p class="poetry-indent">a VOICE that knows no boundaries even from within the confines of a spiritual cemetery;</p>
<p class="poetry-indent">a VOICE so cool that is resonates through the crevices of Chicago’s icy veins;</p>
<p class="poetry-indent">an angry but respectful VOICE filled with an insatiable passion for change;</p>
<p class="poetry-indent">a VOICE of independence — unchecked, unchained and unrelenting.</p>
<p class="poetry-indent">To those who have an ear let them hear:</p>
<p class="poetry-indent">a VOICE. Of. TOTAL. EMPOWERMENT!</p>


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A young man holds a protest sign at a Black Lives Matter march.. — Photo by Mike Von on Unsplash

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To those who have an ear let them hear:

A VOICE of defiance from the next generation of society’s victim of recidivism;

a VOICE on the other side of the spectrum where color bears no significance but Black Lives Matter more than criticism;

a VOICE longing for reciprocation from anyone schooled by the amazingly miseducated Lauryn Hill;

an incendiary but instrumental VOICE fueled by Malcolm and tuned by Tupac, you feel me?

a VOICE meant to be spoken in unison with a chorus of a chosen few warriors and revolutionaries;

a VOICE that knows no boundaries even from within the confines of a spiritual cemetery;

a VOICE so cool that is resonates through the crevices of Chicago’s icy veins;

an angry but respectful VOICE filled with an insatiable passion for change;

a VOICE of independence — unchecked, unchained and unrelenting.

To those who have an ear let them hear:

a VOICE. Of. TOTAL. EMPOWERMENT!

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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.

Tagged: Hopes & Dreams, Illinois, Making a Difference

Lorenzo Michael Hall Jr.

Lorenzo Michael Hall Jr. is a writer incarcerated in Illinois.

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