Felon: Poems

Written by Reginald Dwayne Betts

Narrated by Reginald Dwayne Betts

A searing volume by a poet whose work conveys “the visceral effect that prison has on identity” (New York Times).

Felon tells the story of one man in fierce, dazzling poems― canvassing his wide range of emotions and experiences through homelessness, underemployment, love, drug abuse, domestic violence, fatherhood, and grace― and, in doing so, creates a travelogue for an imagined life. Reginald Dwayne Betts confronts the funk of post-incarceration existence and examines prison not as a static space, but as a force that enacts pressure throughout a person’s life. Challenging the complexities of language, Betts animates what it means to be a “felon.”

From “Night”

What she tells me: prison killed you
my love, killed you so dead that you’re not
here now, you’re never here, you’re always.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Oct 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781797101651

Reginald Dwayne Betts

Reginald Dwayne Betts is a poet, legal scholar, educator and prison reform advocate. At age 16 he committed an armed carjacking, was prosecuted as an adult, and sentenced to nine years in prison. He started reading and writing poetry during his incarceration.

Reviews for Felon

[Sandra Sealy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reginald's work is gritty, honest and poignant. This sample made me want to read some of the work.

[Andrea Wilson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great poems that make you think. Lots of pain and hurt, but also joy.

[Elle Johnston · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

These poems are so raw. Sometimes difficult to listen to but always a true joy.

[pedro ramírez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing narration, amazing poems! I must read the actual text in the future so as to further appreciate each line!