The absence of a platform in order to convey the thoughts we face can often be a thin veil of a breakthrough. The process of allowing emotion to paper can be freeing even in the most trapping of settings. It comes down to the nostalgic reference freedom of speech, but the cliche of this term still holds the impactful blow. Words From Prison is an ode to breaking the barriers of emotional truth, even through a prison cell.
Artist, poet and Mississippi prisoner Roy Page has encountered psychological as well as tangent obstacles within his lifetime yet, crushes them through poetry. It is filled with the echoes of his solemn and endearing rhetoric, addressing loneliness, burden, and the pursuit of happiness.

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Page shows us that art can be used to transform and mold your situation or circumstances. It is admirable, to say the least, this Mississippi native has used his time to aid in depressional support but chooses to leave a lasting impact on others. Art can make an impact even from a prison cell. “My art gave me a voice when I felt I was voiceless.” Page creates his poems even though he is a prisoner doing life in the South Mississippi Correctional Institute. Words are extremely powerful; therefore, we must choose them wisely. Words have the ability to dictate how we perceive and experience our reality. Page discovered this at a very young age when he turned to poetry to maintain his mental health.

With my head held high, I smile as if things are ok,

But inside I'm struggling to make it through the day.

My war within is taking a toll on my mind,

I'm woefully withdrawn, my depression is blind.

Some days I can manage a few minutes of conversation,

But I feel I'm being judged without any consolation.

Finding the strength to socialize is hard for me to do,

I'm more settled being alone, but I hate being alone with me too.

I know something is not right, I just can't explain,

Why am I secluded with these feelings of self disdain

-MY BURDEN

What role do you want to play as an artist in society?

I'm really a behind the scenes kind of guy. But if given the chance to make a difference, I would give back to the community. I love children, not being able to be in my kid's life as they were growing up has been a burden and probably always will be. But opening up an organization of some kind that will educate children, not only on books but about life, would be my honor. I would also like to open up a poetry club where people can come and share their poetry and music. Give them an avenue to let go of that stronghold that bogs us down, whether it's depression, stress, loneliness, whatever it is that have them in despair.

How has mental health changed the face of the art world?

My art gave me a voice when I felt I was voiceless. It sustains me by allowing me to interpret my feelings into words and in doing so, helps me release stress. It is my go-to when I feel misunderstood and can't explain, through talking, what I'm feeling.

with being incarcerated what is your artistic process when writing your poems?

Somehow my mind breaks free from the chaos I'm surrounded by when I put the paper and pen in front of me. It may take a few minutes, but when I put the pen to the paper it begins to come together.

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?

Eating breakfast with my great uncle. That's probably why I befriend older guys.

Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?

Black history month. I had heard the life stories of Malcolm, Martin, Carmichael, Huey, and others, and I feel I have the same purpose. So I decided to write after a depressing day of school and found that my poetry made sense. From then on I've dabbled until I came to prison. That's where I had time to become my own individual or be a follower. I chose individuality. In prison, I've written my own book called "INCARCERATED THOUGHTS".

Page was raised in two different areas in Laurel, Mississippi. For a few years, he stayed in the rural part of Laurel with his father, who was a man of many talents.

His mother, who passed away 2 years ago this January, was also from a rural area but moved to a more populated urban scene. She was the sweetest woman I have been blessed to have in my life.

Growing up, he felt unbalanced. His parents were never married, which forced him to bounce back and forth between his parent’s two homes. Due to moving around often, he found it hard to form long term friendships. This caused him to become withdrawn and in his loneliness, he began to write down his feelings.

But he would throw his writings away before anyone read them. Soon, rap music became a beacon of light, calling out to his soul. The artist seemed to know what he was feeling. Blues and R&B also become inclusive in his life. These avenues opened up his mind to poetry.

Writing helps to relieve his anxiety and, stress by allowing him to gather his thoughts. Because of this fuel, Page reinvented himself through his rhythmic words of poetry. Although he is not a known writer yet, and being incarcerated has placed limitations on getting his work noticed on platforms, he remains hopeful. He has written his first poetry book entitled, “INCARCERATED THOUGHTS,” which he hopes to have published soon.

How has art or writing poems and music affected your mental wellness?

It has given me a voice. It has given me hope, and a desire to share my story and thoughts to the world. I'm more confident. I have self-worth and I've realized it's okay to be broken because it makes you rebuild yourself and you become the person you truly are.

Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?

It can be lonely, but It depends on your personality. I like the peace you have to have in order to hone your craft. People crave attention, so I counteract my solitude by becoming the audience.

What impact do you want to relate to you’re audience?

I would love for the reader to feel the words as if they were their own. Knowing that you are not alone in your thoughts brings comfort, I want my poetry to be that comfort for those who read it.

How have your poems changed over time?

It changed with my maturity. The more opened my mind became the more my poetry grew.

Do you believe that art heals and how?

Yes, by giving you an outlet to share your thoughts.

On my path is depression, stress, panic attacks, anxiety, loneliness, and a lot more unstable mindsets.
Though I am still battling them all, I'm stronger because of it.

My stress lead to depression, I withdrew before I knew to search for help,
And loneliness is unkind until you learn to love yourself.

Caring about what others think of you, will surely give you anxiety,
Then comes the panic attacks, and you no longer control your body.

I'm fighting this battle and winning because I'm now comfortable within.
Self-love is the key to beating some unwanted mental conditionings.

I was raised in two different areas in Laurel, Mississippi. For a few years, I stayed in the rural part of Laurel with my father. My father is a man of many talents. Music and creating is his favorite pastime. My mother, who passed away 2 years ago this January, was from a rural area but moved to a more populated urban scene, was the sweetest woman I have been blessed to have in my life. 

Growing up I was unbalanced because I bounced back and forth between my Mom and Dad’s homes.  Many times by the time I moved back in from other parent’s homes my friends had already moved on, and I became withdrawn because of this. So in my loneliness, I began to write down my feelings. I would throw my writings away so no one could see them.

Rap music became a beacon to my soul. The artist seemed to know what I was feeling. Blues and R&B also became inclusive in my life. These avenues opened my mind to poetry. 

Poetry has been a part of my mental stability since I was a young boy. My poetry helps to relieve my anxiety, stress and it helps me calculate my thoughts. I am not a known writer at this point, and being incarcerated has limited resources when it comes to platforms on getting my work noticed. But I have written my first poetry book entitled “INCARCERATED THOUGHTS” which I hope to get published soon.

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