John Byron Yarbrough

I was born in Fort Worth, Texas. I graduated with a BGS from T.C.U. I began writing in prison. I earned a Master’s degree in Literature from the University of Houston—Clear Lake while in prison at the Ramsey Unit, Texas Dep’t. of Criminal Justice. I am a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the National Honor Society for Literature majors. In 2001, I won the Boswell Poetry Award from T.C.U. I have been published in many college journals, magazines, and books. I have won PEN awards for short stories and poetry. My poems appear in each issue of Jewish Affairs Magazine of South Africa. I have been the featured poet at the Shreveport Memorial Library, Shreveport, Louisiana on six occasions. I am an adviser to the College Guild, a correspondence study program for prisoners. I work as a librarian at my prison unit. You can write me at:

John Byron Yarbrough #688355
Ramsey Unit
1100 FM 655
Rosharon, TX 77583


Articles by John Byron Yarbrough

Prison and Justice Writing
Tuesday June 24

The Season

The lawn’s a frigid jigsaw puzzle     of frozen brown grass Shut in for winter     I sip your best scotch Your car is listed for sale     in the auto shopper There’s no tree this year     no lights around the windows I hear the nurse in your bedroom     asking if you need

Prison and Justice Writing
Thursday June 23

Dog Flips Burgers

Too politically correct to chase cats / Listens to classical music on PBS / Supports union demands / Burns paw on grill / Swats another fly