’Twas The Night
Before Christmas
And all through the prisons
Not a prisoner was stirring
Just paying the price
For decades-old decisions
Some
Mended socks
Hung on makeshift
Clotheslines for those who’d dare
In hopes they’d dry in the nighttime,
Circulated, artificial air
The
Inmates were restless
Still locked in their beds
As visions of freedom
Did dance in their heads
Each
In Their
Brown T-Shirts
And state-issued briefs
Some making promises, changing for keeps
While I, on the other hand,
Unable to sleep
Sending another submission for
PJP
When out on
The the upper tier
There arose such a clatter
I set down my tablet to see
What was the matter
The 10-6 shift Corrections Officer
Unlively and thick
I thought for a second
Is that St. Nick?
While
Most still
Asleep throughout
The compound
Just another day for many
Here living in [prison] browns
On Corrections Officer, the occasional
Sergeant to see
Making sure the prisoners
Secure in their keep
Better for all
Them not hearing a peep
Pepper spray and handcuffs
On the ready abound
In plain sight as the Officer’s
Routinely
Do their rounds
Along the top tier now
Some changing their pace
Their mind would wander
As the count they did take
The count lights
Came on signaling the day
Excited in His Love
To my Lord I now pray
Standing to our feet
Many without a cheer
I’m hoping others could be free Notwithstanding
Being here.
I exclaimed in joy
As the guards changed their shifts Merry Christmas to all
We’ve been given a gift
Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus It doesn’t get any better
Nothing greater than this.