Brick Walls

Sometimes, it's hard to know what you live in.

The crisp, stately dwelling fit quite nicely

Amongst the other brick two-story houses.

 

Impeccably landscaped with hedges, shrubs and flowers.

Surely joy and laughter lived there.

 

But prisons have brick walls too.

Also beautifully manicured on the outside,

They have people locked within,

Who long to walk free in happiness.

 

People waiting for that day, sometime soon

When they are released, allowed to walk

In the warmth of the sun.

 

“A house is a shell ... a palette.

Or at least, it should be.

 

It's up to those inside to color it with themselves

And with symbols of their lives ... to warm it up

And turn it into a home.”

 

 

Reviews

[Sasha]

This is really good and very true. I've compared my home to a prison plenty of times. Right away, I've got to give you credit for writing a poem about a fairly original topic and expressing your point of view in a very straight-forward, sensible way. Great job.

[C. Harter Amos]

I love the overall message. "It's up to those inside to color it with themselves." Full of thoughtful truth, beginning to end. Homes or houses, prisons or places of respite and growth; it's up to us to make our houses homes.

[Doreen]

A house is where you hang your hat. A home is where you hang your heart. I like this. It's not the bricks and mortar, it's what is inside. Nicely written. :)

[Narnie]

This is so true Jerry. I've noticed quite a softer side to much of your poetry I've read on here since I came back. It suits you :) I wonder who it is speaking at the end of this poem... that opens up another avenue to it.

[An Ordinary Woman]

"It's up to those inside to color it with themselves
And with symbols of their lives ... to warm it up
And turn it into a home.”

Wow. And yeah! I really enjoyed this poem with great insight. So true...
Sometimes we need to be reminded, don't we? GREAT job!

[Angelheaded Hipster]

I like this write. I like the idea that a house could be a prison...speaks of dysfunctions, and yet...at the end...you give up a small glimmer of hope with "symbols of their lives"....

Being comfy in a house helps too!

[Amanda Crandall]

interesting comparison of the domicile and an institution. you also touch on coloring a home, which made me think of what would be the difference between how a house is painted and how a prison is painted lol. Thanks for the thinking

[Emily B]

Beautifully written, I never would have put together the contrast pieces. It was a stunning revelation as I pictured it. Great work.