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Open Poetry #1
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JP
Senior Member
since 1999-05-25
Posts 1343
Loomis, CA

0 posted 1999-08-02 04:00 PM


It's cold in here.
the drab cinderblock walls,
urine stained concrete floor,
offer little warmth.
Harsh neon lights,
merciless metal bench,
offer little comfort.
My wrists fell better,
the cuff-welts easing.
My pricked arm itches tho',
"Breath, blood or piss?"
the gause tape pulls my hair.
Snippets of conversation,
float by casually.
"I didn't rob no damn store".
"****ing cops.... its a set up...".
I pay them little mind.
Rubbing my eyes,
stifling a yawn,
fighting the urge to cry.
Aching bladder draws my eye to,
the open, metal, crap-caked hole.
Deciding instead to hold it,
or wet myself trying.
2 a.m. and breakfast arrives,
rubber eggs, cardboard toast,
charcoal, smelling faintly of sausage.
Grunts, groans, chomping, chewing.
My mates seem to like it.
Hangover surely, but vomit threatens.
A small offering to Bubba,
"My food for my shoes, perhaps?",
Dozing off, head bobbing,
snapping awake quickly,
skull and cinderblock greet savagely.
Finally resigned, I lay out,
my body soaking up the chill,
of the jail cell floor.
Eyes closing, rest coming.
Doors slamming, voices yelling.
I ease myself up,
exausted, freezing, aching,
"Everyone up and out!"
Following the red line,
then the yellow.
"Sign this, wait here"
"Hey shithead! Against the wall!"
Release! Glorious release!
6 a.m., cold, rainy January,
no coat while I wait.
Payphone line dwindles slowly,
"Collect, from JP",
"Yeah hon, come get me",
"Call the tow company first",
"So we can pick up the car."

In vino veritas

© Copyright 1999 JP Burns - All Rights Reserved
Elizabeth
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
1 posted 1999-08-02 04:05 PM


This really made me think.

------------------
*Elizabeth*

"Dwelt a maid belov'd and cherish'd by high and low,
But with autumn leaf she perish'd, long time ago..."

JP
Senior Member
since 1999-05-25
Posts 1343
Loomis, CA
2 posted 1999-08-02 06:45 PM


I'm curious as to what it made you think about. I myself have tried to forget all about it. stupid me for putting it in writing.

------------------
Dum spiro, spero
JP



Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
3 posted 1999-08-02 07:53 PM


Well done. Poems written from personal experience are ok! Don't regret writing it, regret that it happened. Next time, give the keys to someone and let them drive you home!

Elizabeth
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
4 posted 1999-08-02 10:05 PM


It made me think of a friend of mine. *Sigh* I guess I should just keep the whole thing to myself, but anyways, thank you for sharing this, JP. I am sure that this will affect others who read it, and maybe they'll do like Poet deVine suggested and give someone else the keys. But this brought back so many painful memories, and my friend wasn't even driving drunk, it was something else, but still the memories came back in a flood, it seemed.

------------------
*Elizabeth*

"Dwelt a maid belov'd and cherish'd by high and low,
But with autumn leaf she perish'd, long time ago..."

Elizabeth
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
5 posted 1999-08-22 05:25 PM


Here it goes again.

------------------
*Elizabeth*

"Dwelt a maid belov'd and cherish'd by high and low,
But with autumn leaf she perish'd, long time ago..."

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