A Prisoner's Stance

The sun comes up, my eyes open, I’m still here
I fold my blanket, then get dressed, and the count clears.
I’m lonely, it’s suffering, it’s depressing
I’m losing, I’m sinking deeper, I’m stressing.
Same Routines, Same rules, nothing changes
I sit here, I wonder, my body ages.
Time drags, letters fade, feelings wither
Unkempt appearance, unshaven, my body thinner.
Hopes dwindle, dreams fade, attitudes flare
Pain inflicted, no one listens, just icy stares.
No mercy, no forgiveness, no second chance
Walks alone, calls but no ones home, a prisoners stance.
Things forgotten, my mind slips, memories gone
I walk unnoticed, sit by myself, composing life’s song.
Wanting love, needing affection, someone to hold
No one’s there, no one cares, my body’s cold.
The sun sets, I close my eyes, I’m still here
I lay back down, still a prisoner, for many years.


JA is a twenty-eight year old prisoner in Oregon who has been serving time since the age of seventeen.