Solitary

she sits there
solitary, in a
concrete castle.
metal where you
rest your head,
bathroom at your feet.
no light of moon
no flowers or
trees, no ocean
breeze.

they say --
I cannot see you,
we don't have the same
mom but we are ohana.
you are my sister, until
my days are done.

after long conversations
they agree, & pretend
to believe the words
from my desperate lips.
they tell me remove your
shiny things, your
golden rings.

the boots --
they lead me, cold
authoritarian feet
I walk & walk ...
toward you.
contemplating
you turn and
I see your heart
in your eyes
because streams flow
out like mine.
and you reach
for my hands
between steel bars.

Author's Note

I should have added this note when I posted this writing. This writing is about a visit I made to see a loved one in an actual correctional facility back home in Hawaii.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

nice allegory here---the reality of what is said here, and the literal meaning of a heart behind bars...but this is one of a person who has locked herself away...
j.

[Island Hippy]

Mahalo Jacob I appreciate your visit and sharing your thoughts

[apennylate]

Teaching me new words, creating concrete castles of steaming flower flow, gated behind bars of steel heart... I remove my shiny thing, that piece of me that resembles the true me, and... Reach... Contemplating the desperation is barely needed... As it is fully presented in the metal rasp of your style... Stunningly penned...

[Island Hippy]

Mahalo my friend, I enjoyed reading your very poetic interpretation. It nice to learn what other people see through the trees :)

[apennylate]

I agree, my pleasure, friend...

[Paul Bell]

Well done Izzy. This is touching, with a strange longing thrown in for good measure. This good be a great friend. Or it could actually be yourself.
Put me out my misery.

[Island Hippy]

Mahalo Paul, it's about my best friend/sister back home. Memeories of visiting her in a correctional facility, its her birthday today and I tried to write something upbeat and light but this came out instead. I wasn't sure how this would be received on here.

[Paul Bell]

Hope she's out now. We all need a bit of correction now and again.

[Island Hippy]

She will be by the time I move home. I plan to be there for her :)

[Paul Bell]

You're a good friend.