Solitude
By RD
Tears fall while I’m in solitude
I’ve been in jail since I was sixteen
I’m now nineteen
When will I be free?
I made a bad decision
Hung with the wrong crowd
But give me a break
I WAS SIXTEEN!
I’ve learned my lesson
I’m not going home to do the same thing
I’m stressing so much I can’t even write a good poem
People say they can relate
But do you really feel my pain?
Tears fall while I’m in solitude
And there’s no one around to feel the rain
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The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.
This is really beautiful, and really touching. We all do stupid things when we’re sixteen, but you’re right, to have your stupid sixteen-year-old actions land you in jail is a pain that no-one on the outside can ever really understand. I know the general perception of inmates is that they are all rough thugs with no care for anyone but themselves, and who knows, maybe you are rough, RD. Maybe you’ve had to be. But this poem shows that you are also intelligent, and thoughtful, and that you care so intensely about things. I admire your openness, and I can’t imagine how frustrating it must be to still be being punished for a bad decision made by your sixteen-year-old self, but I’m rooting for you to make it through. Please keep writing. Your poetry is so good, and I really enjoy reading it. I don’t know when you’re out, but I hope it’s soon, and I hope you will continue to pursue writing on the outside. You will do great things one day, and I believe that you could make a lot of people very happy. As we say in New Zealand, Kia Kaha. Be Strong.
I was moved by your words. Anyone who reads this poems can feel the rain. –BK