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passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

0 posted 2008-01-01 04:51 PM

I traded in my favorite bars
for ones made of steel,
though memories are still vivid
it all seems so surreal.

I had a few good friends in there,
ones that would let me keep my food,
and I did have a tiny window
where the courthouse could be viewed.

Showers and toilets were in the open,
not an issue for debate,
I'm not sure how I got so fat,
having to see all that before I ate.

I read 100 books, watched TV,
majority rules so without fail
we'd always end up with something stupid
like news or "Lock-Up" or "Jail".

Got in a few fights
but you know I held my own,
"solitary confinement" was the only way
that I could get some time alone.

I looked forward to getting calls,
chow, pill, mail, and yard.
I even started to believe
life on the outside was way too hard.
(and there was this one really handsome guard...)

Then I got out and ate real food,
touched people and counted stars,
settled back into my PIP home...
staying 500 feet away from all bars.

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

1 posted 2008-01-01 05:02 PM

you sure know how to do powerfully effective 'reality' writes!

I believe all too many of us 'inmates' of the "Runaway American
Dream" are dealing with abhorrent 'bars' (even the invisible kind)
[although I wish I had a set that could keep the 'dark wolf' out!]

I am particularly fond of the ending...

applause!

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

2 posted 2008-01-01 05:23 PM

Dear Dixie,
your share your tough experience in vivid imagery!
But what a treat to read a hundred books! That was quality time, I think it also helped to make you feel elsewhere.
Love and hugs.
Margherita

Roniece Dawson-Bruce
Member Ascendant

since 2000-01-29

Posts 5689
Sydney, Australia

3 posted 2008-01-01 05:35 PM

Dixie.. my dear friend... this is wonderful writing.. good to get it out and down on paper... thank you for being so open to share it with us here... Happy New Year gorgeous girl love RDB

Be kind at heart....for everyone you meet has their own battle to fight.........

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

4 posted 2008-01-01 05:40 PM

Sorry you were locked up long enough to read one hundred books, but nice to see that you made positive use of your time.

Irish
Member

since 2006-05-02

Posts 50
Ft Benning

5 posted 2008-01-01 06:19 PM

glad to see you found something far more interesting Darlin

and less likely to cause grief I might add

Goldenrose
Member Elite

since 2003-05-30

Posts 3665

6 posted 2008-01-01 06:28 PM

Another ''as it is'' poem of bravery from you Dixie..you should write a book..''how to survive in a terrible world''..you dont need to do any research..just recall..thank you for this brilliant poem..

Goldenrose.

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, ring out the old, ring in the new,ring out the false, ring in the true..A Lord Tennyson

Ringo

Member Elite

since 2003-02-20

Posts 3684
Saluting with misty eyes

7 posted 2008-01-01 06:44 PM

Dixie-
Yet another inspiring set of words for your audience.
Welcome back (since I missed it earlier).

What would you attempt to do...if you knew you could not fail?.
www.myspace.com/mindlesspoet

Huan Yi
Member Ascendant

since 2004-10-12

Posts 6688
Waukegan

8 posted 2008-01-01 08:19 PM

.

Dixie,

I’ve always viewed you
as a modern day Sara Teasdale . . .

I’ve no idea how your life
will sum up
but it will be good reading . . .

John

.

Artic Wind
Member Rara Avis

since 2007-09-16

Posts 8080
Realm of Supernatural

9 posted 2008-01-01 09:08 PM

Inspiring Indeed

ARCTIC WIND

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

10 posted 2008-01-01 11:44 PM

John, I have always remembered you saying that about me and I had my daughter print out some of Sara's poems to send to me when I was in jail so I might find some inspiration. Too much noise isn't good for creating though. It's quite an honor to be compared to such a fine poetess and I thank you.

Thank you each, friends. I'm so glad I can write and share my experience without being judged. It's a long road ahead and I'm happy to have a place to come at the end of the day.

and I'm not quite sure about how many books I actually read but it had to be close to 80....I was amazed at myself for picking up a long lost art I once enjoyed so dearly. I think it will remain a habit now.

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

11 posted 2008-01-02 12:37 PM

Hi Dixie, Now tell us what were the best books out of the many? You Are Loved..

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

12 posted 2008-01-02 12:49 PM

LOL Marty Jo, I can't remember hardly any of them but the James Patterson ones were really good, Nora Roberts...one called Echo Park by Michael Connelly...The Color Of Light by Karen White...all the Harlequins were about the same...and I was in the middle of one called The Saving Graces by Patricia Gaffney so I'll have to go buy that one to finish it. Of course I read most of the Joyce Meyer books I could get my hands on, and the Bible.

I wish I'd made a list of them all.

SmartChick
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-09-23

Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown

13 posted 2008-01-02 05:24 AM

I am glad you are back.

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis

since 2002-02-22

Posts 9353
Michigan, USA

14 posted 2008-01-02 08:38 AM

Welcome home Dixie.
New Beginnings, new year.

All Blessings to you sweet lady.
You are most certainly a blessing here to us.

HopeS
Member Elite

since 2000-12-22

Posts 4596
Perth Western Australia

15 posted 2008-01-02 09:13 AM

Good to be sharing with you again Dixie friend

Hope

Kahlil
Senior Member

since 2003-04-12

Posts 1881

16 posted 2008-01-02 09:16 AM

Welcome back, Dixie.
You are a woman of courage.
K

passing shadows
Member Empyrean

since 1999-08-26

Posts 45577
displaced

17 posted 2008-01-02 02:26 PM

thanks for all the warm welcomes

I'm so glad to be home again

aziza
Member Elite

since 2006-07-09

Posts 2995
Lumpy Oatmeal makes me Crazy!

18 posted 2008-01-05 12:29 PM

Dear Dixie,

You know I really missed you when you were gone. It's wonderful to come to PiP and see your poetry and your name again. You are among my very favorite writers here - and I think your prison experience will produce some strong poems.

I am glad that you are back, Dixie-girl.

Alison

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