JUST ANOTHER DAY
By Jason Scardino
So sets the moon, to let the sun rise,
So starts the day, while the night dies.
At which point it’s due time to wake my game up,
Shake the sheets out and pour the first shot into my cup.
Hear the bird song? I’d too sing the same tune,
Spread my wing out and soar into the afternoon.
Yet I’m on two feet, that fight to stay upon the ground
With every new beat, there’s pavement for me to pound
I’d step out my front door, but for the fact that I’m keyed in,
I hear the keys now, but the turnkey’s unseasoned
Need to break fast so as not to break slow from these hunger pains
I must eat fast and go so they won’t yell out my name
Out in the color-coded garden, I plant my feet
Get to my routine and stay ready so as not to taste defeat
A fickle wind blows, the horn goes, no warning shots.
Bury my steak knife and cut right and whatnot
Another battle won, another day done, I can shut my eyes
So sets the sun, to let the moonrise
RE-ENTRY
By Eddie Sanchez
You’ve been through Juvie and C.Y.A.
And you’re learning, the hard way,
That crime doesn’t pay.
Cuz, you’re caught “IN THE SYSTEM”
And they’ve caught you again
A minor infraction
Shipped back to the pen
They say that you’re crazy,
and prescribe you some pills
And you learn, to make pruno
From stale apple peels
You pray for a visit,
But, you wait all alone,
Because, all of your loved ones
“HAVE A BLOCK” on their phone.
Your cell, and your number
Is all you have left,
And a “RETURN-TO-SENDER”
Across your last N.S.F.
CONVICT
By Eddie Griffin
They invite your impropriety
They’re so glad that you could come
They ignore your many addictions
And they knew that you’d succumb
Tragic hero of rural crisis
On your back many towns have grown
Do you know your intrinsic value
Can’t you see the seeds they’ve sown
Seeds fertilized in ignorance
And strewn throughout the state
Watered with demagoguery
Now they consummate your fate
Can you see now what you’ve lost
Can you glean the distraction
Without knowledge of self
There is no basis for action
WHEN I’M GONE
By Richard Dollarhide and Jason Harden
In my dismiss, I wonder how many will miss me? How long will it take for those who know me to notice I’m gone? How many of those who claim to be my friends/homies, will show up at my funeral and show solitude?
When I’m gone, how long will it take before everybody forgets about me? Will those who know me forget the sound of my voice, and the image of my face?
If I can change my ways for the better, will I still be remembered for the negativity of my past? Will the young ones in my life be able to look up to me as a role model, or will they look at me with disgust?
I hope when all think back on me, they are reminded of the good times, and smile. Don’t shed any tears, for I don’t want my death to make others sad. Others have been sad enough during my life, so please don’t mourn, but rejoice. For my soul will be in the hearts of all those whom really loved and cared.
