What Do You Say
What do you say about the Boy who grew up on kiss and hugs
But he grow up on luck and who gives a f***
But I say how can my mom be my enemy when she’s part of the inner me
She’s the one that held you for 9 months, but tortured you for so much more
When the only happiness you see is the door
The way out that’s like the power in arm reach, but can’t have
You can’t touch it, you can’t have it
What do you say to the Boy in hell when he feels the only way out is jail?
What do you tell the Boy who’s played with like a toy
Who fights for his life but his life is never right
What do you tell him when he lives the life of the struggle and lives in the shadow of his brother fighting off my enemies
But can I beat the inner me
What do you tell him
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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.
Powerful. The rhythm of the piece driven by a return to the same question… ‘What do you say to a boy…” builds a sense of urgency, helps the reader empathize with the conflict and confusion of a heart torn. The dilemma of experiencing a mother’s love as torture and yet knowing you remain bound, generation to generation, parent to child, and that this tether influences the “inner me,” speaks to the core of trauma in families. As to the last line, the final question… I would tell him the question is ultimately not “beating the inner me,” but holding and accepting the “inner me” with compassion, and knowing that the way to get there is through poetry such as this.
Just made “What do you say to the Boy in hell when he feels the only way out is jail?” my gchat status. It’s a really hard question, and demonstrates a significant level of self-awareness. A lot of people in power think there are more choices in our inner city, because from their position, it might look like there are. But they underestimate the barriers of the mind and perspective. When you’re inside, what is rational shifts.
I really liked the capitalization of Boy throughout. Reminds me of ‘Everyman.’ Also, it’s so important to see that people ending up in jail are often just kids (even if/when they are over 18). There’s a vulnerability to children that we mentally disassociate from anyone that’s been incarcerated. It dehumanizes them in a way that is really dangerous to our ability to have conversations…and figure out what to say.
That’s what’s up slim you showed some real feelings and emotions in that poem keep up the good work.
The only real failure is when one chooses to give up. Choices are everything. You can still choose to one day have a regular life.