Creative Works of Michael J. Richardson: About Michael J. Richardson

Michael James Richardson (b. 1975-)

Michael J. Richardson
Summer 2017 (42 years old)

I'm just a writer of poetry and prose, and a drawer of daydreams.

When I was a little boy, I dreamed of digging up ancient cities, unearthing secrets from centuries past, and brushing sand away from fossilized creatures that roamed the Earth hundreds of millions of years ago. I fantasized about traveling to distant worlds to explore and terraform planets for human colonization. And, like most kids, I believed in ghosts and fairies, and those nasty little monsters that lived under my bed and in my closet.

But then some things happened. Terrible things that had the power and energy to shape my future by consuming my past. As a nine-year-old, I wrote poetry and short stories to ease the pain and confusion, only to feed the penned words to hungry campfires that fancied to eat whatever I dared to offer. Now I write for the sake of writing - to tell the stories to hungry hearts and eager minds who'll become engaged enough to feel something. Anything!

An example you'll find on these pages is my short story A Refection in May. Although it incorporates beauty and tragedy, it would be very hard to call it a beautiful tragedy. Also on these pages you'll find pieces of my memoir, There's Poison in the Spring. Why? Because it's a story that needs to be told. We humans tend to judge and label everything and everyone, but we do so without knowing the whole story. There's Poison in the Spring, when completed, will be the whole story. No stone left unturned.

Much of my poetry, and a lot of the essays I write, are of a personal nature; but I do believe there are many out there who can relate. Seeds is a poem about fragile innocence, Precocious Progeny about a son I've never met, and Rent Free is a poem about living with Borderline Personality Disorder and major depression.

My drawings are conjured both from memory and imagination. I spend a large portion of my time trying to remember "the good times," and sometimes I just come across pictures that inspire me. Daydream came from one such photo. I saw this great shot of a pooch in a magazine article and had to capture it. The dog reminded me of my own mountain pup. A rescue dog I affectionately named Rikki 2 Sox. Another time, another place...

Like I said, writer of poetry and prose... drawer of daydreams.

I am presently serving a 40-year sentence for crimes I'm utterly ashamed of. Upon sentencing, the judge told me that I would have to find my hope and meaning while in prison. That hurt, but I respect her for being honest. Therefore, I write, and draw, and utilize the few rights I've retained - like freedom of expression. Because, in essence, that's who I am. I'm no different now (as a human being) than when I was an eight-year-old who wanted to dig up old stories and share learned truths.

You can write me at:

Michael J. Richardson #41001-013
United States Penitentiary Tucson
PO Box 24550
Tucson, AZ 85734

Or email me at januaryABCbayou at gABCmail.com (remove ABC) and my contact will send me your email.

I would love to hear from you.