Incarcerated Scholars Conference Art Gallery 2025

Memorial Grace

Willie Nichols

Knox College

Illinois

One less –
Beyond recompense
Freed from the yoke.

With no death to reward
Ego evolves unto itself
Scratching to some peak beyond view,
Making plans
To do a thing.

Masking calloused hands
With a gentle shake,
Only counting the wins:
Failure priced into the cost of freedom.

Morality? Morality is the precise instability
Of noble thoughts. The reward of right living
Governed by the action of grasping for happiness;
Yet loosely clothed with poor decisions.

Shame the shadow of past,
The only known threat
Is an unconscious future:
Chap lips bet forgiveness.

Such is the prodigal son
Resting on the fence,
Sun on his back watching
Shadows dance.

If only I could take you back,
Show you all of it.
How my new life cost me
My own.

Artist Statement

I am from a small town in America. I have a real love for nature and the uniqueness of small things. This is often reflected in my writings. I also write about life as I have experienced it. I am a real champion of the free verse style. I feel it better suits my personality and allows me to tell my story in my own way. Here I took a little more risk than I normally would. I overcame this challenge by writing from the ever evolving humility of my alter ego. This allows me to be brutally honest with sensitive subjects that are real in my life. This poem is about my spiritual journey.

If you are the artist of an artwork featured in this gallery and want it removed, please reach out to alliance@higheredinprison.org