Analysis of Mistaken Identity



Deception is the enemy’s magic,
my hustle was only releasing his havoc.
In my life and others that are trapped in,
this path of drugs, there is no compassion.
With every hit, was another transaction.

I was the epitome of addiction.
I was so blind I couldn’t see,
a future without this identity.
I thought it brought out the best in me.
Hell, it was the only me I knew to be.
At a young age, this was the journey I chose,
through this dead valley of vultures and foes.
Counterfeit friends put on award-winning shows
while keeping you close is the enemy’s code.

Get what they can and leave me for dead,
the word family was sold for the price on my head,
While my kids were at home crying, lying in bed,
left to wonder,
"Was it something I said?"

More times than not, this is the story,
till it’s not.
You end up in a cell, on a cot,
or six feet under, beginning to rot.
If you are fortunate to get a second chance,
use it wisely, don’t make it worse,
Because this lifestyle is nothing but a curse.

As for me,
I plan to show the lost and broken,
the end of the road first.
Praying that their travels back
 isn’t in a hearse.
But instead, with their families,
putting God first.


Scheme XXXAA ABBBBCCCX DDDXD BEEEXFF BAGXFXG
Poetic Form
Metre 01010110 110110010110 0110101110 1111111010 110011010010 11001001010 1111111 0100110100 111110101 11101011111 10111101011 1111011001 1011101101 110111011 111101111 0110011101111 111011101001 1110 111011 111111010 111 111001101 1111001011 111100110101 11101111 0111110101 111 111101010 011011 1011101 1001 10111100 1011
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 1,192
Words 261
Sentences 16
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 5, 9, 5, 7, 7
Lines Amount 33
Letters per line (avg) 27
Words per line (avg) 7
Letters per stanza (avg) 179
Words per stanza (avg) 45

About this poem

This poem was written by Brent Cleeton while incarcerated in Shawnee Correctional Center. This passage was written in hopes to inspire other recovering addicts to find hope and believe in themselves through the written word.

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Written on September 22, 2022

Submitted on November 01, 2022

Modified on March 05, 2023

1:18 min read
7

Brent Cleeton

Brent Cleeton is currently incarcerated and serving a sentence for drug abuse. He has found his voice while fighting for his freedom both in life and in spirit. Brent writes for those without a voice and for those who seek hope and guidance for a better life. more…

All Brent Cleeton poems | Brent Cleeton Books

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