Formerly Incarcerated Man Writes Poem about the First Few Minutes of Being Released

Date:  01-18-2019 Poem focuses on the hope and the determination to never go back to prison that reintegrating individuals feel while walking out the gate

This poem was sent to us by Barry Diamond, Administrator of Reentry Survivors. The poem is published here with permission from the author. RETURN By Basel I leave the cell Slow and easy Step by step My past remains Here I go again Out to freedom Another chance To do it right This time I say No more drugs This time I know Last time back Get a job Apartment too See my kids Freedom again Sun is shining Walk now brisk Smile is coming Almost there Ice cream truck* here Cuffs go on Shuffle my feet Up and on Take me home Ice cream man To my family And life again *Van used by corrections staff to transport people