3 Days and 2 Nights
By IS
Content Warning: Appendicitis, Medical Neglect
For 3 days and 2 nights I suffered inside a cell
Inside the grips of death my body screamed for help
No words can ever describe the fear and pain I felt
To die before 25 my body’s killing itself
No opportunity to help myself, my rights were stripped away
So I turn to those in charge but they tell me that I’m okay
I cry out please I’m in pain!
My condition still unexplained!
Don’t neglect me ‘cause of these chains!
To do so is inhumane! But still…
I sat for 3 days and 2 nights
Inside this ring with Death my body’s losing this fight
Not once, but twice, they told me I’d be alright
My body’s screamin they’re wrong
My soul’s hoping they’re right
fearing that if I sleep I will travel into the light
fearing that if I don’t I won’t make it through out the night
So I stayed patient and prayed
And ask God to remove this pain
By the virtue of His Greatest names
Through prayer I had been saved
for 3 days and 2 nights, through these moments I have been changed
Though these scars will still remain
My mentality is not the same
38 Comments
Leave a Comment
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.
The way you described the pain you were feeling was really effective. felt like I was experiencing your pain while I was reading the poem.
I thought that the rhythm of this poem was really good because almost every line rhymed and tied together in some sort of way to each other. The poem is also very easy to understand. The man was in jail going through a lot of pain and then he begged got for mercy and god helped in when we prayed for three days and two nights.
This is a very captivating poem. I love how you wrote about your personal experience and you were able to write a poem using that experience.
This poem is really good. I enjoy all of the uses of rhyme and the brilliant patterns that were created throughout. You rhymed some words that I wouldn’t have even thought of using, but you did so in such a natural way. My personal favorite was chains and unexplained. Even though they don’t end on the same syllable, they still have that familiar tone that makes reading an easier experience. The words were very specific, having the reader be immersed into the poem as they read each line, wondering what would be talked about next. The poem emphasizes less on the pain being felt, though still very clear, but more on the neglected feeling of feeling like nobody cares, like nobody would wonder what happened. The time span as well is given off so early on so the reader is aware of this throughout, being able to really understand how hard it was while knowing how long this happened for. I truly enjoyed the writing as well, it made me feel a pang in my heart for this trauma that was experiences. My word of advice is to keep going! You have a real talent and I think you’re capable of many more fantastic pieces.
This poem speaks to the unfortunate dehumanizing we see in today’s prison systems and is truly sad to see. I like this poem and how this story flowed well mostly talking about the suffering within the suffering and is a terrible experience.
Hi IS. I am a student from a community-service driven class. Hey man. I think it is great that you have a faith as it is a main provider of hope. I sympathize for you that for the first 3 days and 2 nights that you were in solitude, you felt pain, not only mentally, but throughout your body. I hope that surgery follows the appendicitis. I also wanted to say that you are strong for having to share your feelings in the first place. What makes the poem unique is how you compared your body fighting death in a ring. I imagined a boxing ring, so for you to use an analogy that connects to the common man’s slang, it allows for clear communication between you and the reader. What is also great from a writing perspective is how you made a contrast with your fears such as in “fearing that if I…” It adds character to the poem. One final piece of feedback was as I was reading these particular lines, I found the urge of wanting more of these particular phrases and metaphors. Speaking from the heart, I hope you do well, man. Take care of yourself and keep on writing.
I love how you used your personal experience and turned it into such an interesting poem
Hello IS,
Thank you so much for sharing this poem. I empathize so much with the trauma you experienced. There is NOTHING acceptable about how the prison industrial complex treats people, and I am truly sorry you have been treated this way. Your health and well-being are important and I am so sorry that isn’t reflected in how you’re treated. You deserve better. Keep fighting. I believe in you.
Dear IS,
Wow what happened to you is truly awful. It’s completely heartbreaking to read of your pain and suffering- thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your experience. Your poem is both so ugly and yet very beautiful in the expression of your ordeal. I hope that someone who can reach you and help you reads your poem and makes a change so this never happens again. I wish you healing and better health and for no more harm to come to you. Warm regards, Roxanne
Oh my gosh. I am so sorry; nobody should ever have to suffer like that. Technically speaking, this poem is smooth, the timing of breaks and rhymes are well synced, and it was “easy” to read (as in, written well). It was also difficult to read, as the content was tough and called upon memories of my own experience with medical neglect. Again, I am so sorry, and I hope you’re in better hands now. Your work is a joy, and I hope you continue with it!
Dear IS,
You did a fantastic job “showing” and not “telling” the reader about your pain in this poem. Your use of boxing references is very powerful and impactful and serves to illustrate the many different “fights” that you were experiencing at that time.
I look forward to reading more of your work, keep writing!!
Michelle
IS – In your words, the terror of your 3 days and 2 nights is so real. It aches to hear of your pain, the neglect of others, the inhumanity. And then the last two lines takes your poem from outstanding to brilliant. My thanks for your poem, Temp
this poem was really beautiful. The way you described your feelings was chilling. You were really able to put the listener in your shoes. Well written!
This is a really raw and powerful poem. I’m sorry you went through this, but glad that the power of prayer sustained you.
I loved the refrain of the time it took for them to care for you. Because when you’re in pain, you can feel like time stretches out. So I liked that you kept reminding us of the time. Absolutely powerful.
The repetition of the title is very impactful. I really liked the phrase “Inside this ring with Death” and the idea of medical neglect was very prevalent and well done. The emotion was present and evoked a lot of sympathy.
The mental toll of being so close to help but having it constantly pulled away from you must be just as agonizing as the physical toll. I am sorry, and this system must change. People are people and should be treated as people
IS,
Thank you for your bravery in sharing this traumatic moment. I can feel your pain that you describe. I am so relieved to hear you are in good health and stronger for it. Keep writing!
Thank you so much for sharing such a painfully, intimate story. We are so sorry you had to go through this and glad you made it in order to share this story.
IS, first let me say that I am so sorry the system failed you in providing the necessary medical attention you needed. I am so glad that you are here today to share your story with others. I cannot imagine what you went through physically, and what you continue to go through mentally. I’m sure your trust for the staff is basically ruined, but I hope it is not that way for everyone you encounter. My hope for you is that when you look at your scar, you are reminded of God’s love. I can’t imagine the pain you endured those 3 days and 2 nights, but you are here today and are using your voice in a powerful way. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing this poem. Your experience matters. It is horrifying and awful that the prison system refuses to provide medical care to incarcerated individuals. It is humane, no one should ever experience that.
Dear IS,
I was awed by the power and impact you created throughout this poem. You have managed to create a splendid balance between telling us your story, but also alluding to the bigger issue within the system; those individuals who are incarcerated often face unequal access to healthcare and experiences injustices in the care offered. You’ve appeared to do so by splitting the poem between your emotions, whether that be anger, hope, or praying, and lines that reference your absent care being a result of the chains. I loved your crafted use of end rhyme throughout this piece as I thought it created a wonderful cadence and rhythm while reading. I related quite personally to your poem because I work in healthcare, on an ambulance, and respond to calls such as yours, within various facilities. Regardless of circumstance, everyone should have the right to medicine and healthcare. Unfortunately, your story is something that happens far too often, even though it shouldn’t happen at all. I can’t begin to imagine, beyond your description, the tumultuous emotions you felt during that very uncertain time. If I had any advice to offer you, it would simply be to continue writing from such raw places because you have a gift in writing such compelling words that connect to your readers on an emotional level.
KS, Minnesota
I’m so sorry this happened to you, IS. In the U.S. prison system we dehumanize people and it’s wrong. I hope your poem gets seen by people all over because they need to hear the stories of real people, real human beings, who are neglected and denied basic dignity because of the label “criminal.” Keep writing and keep sharing your story. It’s moving, and I hope it can inspire some people to change their mind and have a little more compassion.
Having been through appendicitis myself I cannot imagine the pain you went through having to deal with it for 3 days. Just because someone is locked up does not mean they do not deserve to receive medical help and be taken seriously. They should have taken you seriously the first time and gotten you medicine and into surgery and I am so sorry the system failed you in that not once but twice. No one should die in jail because they were essentially blown off when said they were in pain and your story makes me wonder how many have gone through this same thing. I am glad you were finally able to get help but my heart hurts at the thought of the pain you went through and the pain others have gone through. Everyone deserves to be seen by a medical professional and to be taken seriously and this shouldn’t happen to anyone.
IS,
First let me say that I am so sorry that you had to go through what you did. Second, I wanted to just say that your poem really moved me, these lines especially:
So I turn to those in charge but they tell me that I’m okay
I cry out please I’m in pain!
My condition still unexplained!
Don’t neglect me ‘cause of these chains!
To do so is inhumane! But still…
You captured your feelings so well, and reflect how dehumanization takes place in American prisons. You are more than just a prisoner, and deserve to be treated as such. Proper access to healthcare is so important everywhere in our country, especially for those in prison. Congratulations on a great poem
Dear IS,
I really enjoyed your poem and I am moved by it. I consider your phrase “Inside the grips of death my body screamed for help” to be very effective at transmitting the strong pain and anguish you were feeling. Further, your phrase “Don’t neglect me ‘cause of these chains!” was truly an eye opener for me that reveals the great inhumanity that is suffered inside the prisons in terms of the negligence of health care. It is an issue that I personally hadn’t heard much about as it is not greatly discussed in my community. Because of this, keep on sharing your story to raise awareness about this problem, as no one should be neglected of basic medical assistance.
This had a great rhythm, with each line rhyming with the next. I can’t even imagine what you had to go through with no one listening to you, but you explained it so well. Im so sorry this happened to you and I hope you are feeling better.
Wow. Through this scary and personal experience you shared an important story and message. Just because someone is locked up does not mean that their medical help should be taken away from them. I am glad that you eventually got the help you needed and I hope you have better days in the future. Keep up the great work and stay strong!
I can’t believe what you had to go through. With all of your descriptive words in this poem, I can feel how much you struggled during this short time behind bars. The 3 days you were in jail probably felt like months of being trapped. I liked how you used rhyming words toward the end of the poem, it helped to wrap the poem up. I know that experience was horrifying, but keep up the great work! Your friends and family are here for you to support you!
Hi IS, this writing is so strong and moving. I feel your pain and struggle through your words. I’m so sorry you had to go through this. Writing about it is a great way to bring awareness to the negligence and lack of care you experienced. I especially liked the line “inside this ring with Death my body’s losing this fight”. I think it paints a really great mental image. I’m glad that God was able to save you, keep writing!
I’m sorry this happened to you. Nobody should be treated that way even if they were locked up. I am very glad you did write about it though, as it does tell a compelling story that is rarely ever told. The lives of prisoners are never talked about unless dramatized by the media. They treated you in an inhuman and disrespectful way.
I love the many rhymes and creative patterns that were used throughout. Thank you for being open and sharing your experience; it is absolutely terrible to read about your suffering. I’m sorry you had to go through this, but I’m glad the strength of prayer kept you going.
Hi IS,
This is an amazing poem, although it covers a topic that I’m sure is very difficult for you. I can’t imagine going through this experience, and you are so strong for doing so and being able to write about it. The way your poem flows and you express your emotions of pain and frustration, and anger, is so powerful. In addition to being a well-written piece, talking about experiences like this and raising awareness is one of the only ways that we will see any change in our systems. Thank you so much for sharing, and I wish you health & happiness.
Ainsley
IS, I absolutely love the rhyming in this poem, it flows so well, almost like a song. The word choice was so great and the rhymes you paired together were unique. The structure of this poem was such a great vehicle for the emotion (especially anger) poured into this poem. It was conveyed so well it made me so angry for you. I’m so angry and heartbroken that this is your reality, and I’m sure the reality for so many others. This should never happen to anybody, and I’m sorry it happened to you. Thank you for sharing this with us, and opening our eyes to some of the inhumane things that happen there. This is a really special poem.
This poem is really powerful. As you wrote, it’s completely inhumane to deny people access to medical care, especially in a situation as dire as yours. It’s heartbreaking that you were ignored in a time of need, and I’m glad you were able to find some solace in your faith. I hope that in time you’re able to heal from this experience.
Wow… just wow. There are no words to explain how inhumane what the officers did to you. When you tell you story is hits me deep within the reality of our justice system. Even though we are human the minute you walk through the doors you have no rights. They strip everything away, even healthcare. How dare they say you were alright. Thank you for sharing such true deep emotions. The poem was beautifully written for such a terrible experience. I hope you heal for these experiences. Poetry and people will always be here till listen to your stories!
I am so sorry that you had to go through this, I can’t comprehend how bad this must have been though your words help me to understand your situation. Everybody is human and people need to help people regardless of their situation that they are in. I am happy that you chose to share your experience because not everyone knows all of the bad and unfair things that go on inside of jail and when that comes to your health it should always be a priority.
I really liked this poem. I got so mad for you I could have screamed. I cant imagine watching someone suffer and not doing anything. i feel the way your poem flows in the same way a panic attack builds. it feels chaotic in a beautiful moving way