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