10 Years

They called me by my government name
The likes of which
I hadn't heard
Since my Momma was alive
Shorty was a hustler
then
And
Now
I sit cloaked in my pride
Soaking in
And praying
The judge won't throw the book
At me
But he will
And he does
From diamonds
To slave chains
My clothes fade out
And then to orange
My Grandmomma faints
It'll be a decade
Till she sees this baby face
Without bulletproof glass
Between us
My brother's grave
Not yet matured
"An eye for and eye
And a tooth for a tooth"
Another inked tear earned
Above my cheek
And a scar above my sternum
Angst fills my heart to the brim
But a man don't cry
This ain't little leagues
I kiss Babygirl
As she sobs at my feet
"I don't know if I can wait that long?"
But she will
She did the last time
And for now
I sit locked
In a concrete box
An institutionalized
Bird with clipped wings
Still breathing
"Freedom"

Reviews

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

My goodness...This is EPIC!

You just went to place that is so dark an frightening. This is truth in its rawest form. After witnessing this story first hand so many times....It is very personal.
This is more than just a poem. It is reality. It really shook me up. I love how you displayed not only how the convicts life changes..but also the strain it puts on the relationships in their lives.

[WynterPhoenix]

I agree with SpokenWord.

This was an amazing read. I was hooked from the first line. I couldn't stop reading this one!

[SpokenWord]

Your art with your pen is really good, I am getting into your poetry this is rather nice, I like the way your form is like "slam" poetry. It has the touch that says perform me on stage and slam it home. Your work is moving either people will love it or run from it either way it is awesome.

[Peter Joseph Swanson]

Fantastic!