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Graffiti of the word "Liar."
Photo illustration by Jillian Wesner. Source: Unsplash.

If these walls could talk,
They would speak of crushed hopes and lost dreams,
Sour gossip, and bitter things.
They would give you false tales, and ghetto lies,
Successful robbers that shared a cell with pitiful guys.

If these walls could talk,
You would hear what you wish to hear,
Joyful lies of exes who wish you near.
Your mind will conjure any voice you wish to hear.

If these walls could talk,
They would inform you of the most notorious
Who deep in the night shed sorrowful tears.
Do not listen to the lies
Of these prison walls.

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.

Carnell Wingfield Jr. is a writer and poet incarcerated in California. He is a sociology major at Feather River College and also graduated with distinction from Blackstone Career Institute's paralegal course.