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Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

0 posted 2008-05-14 09:02 PM

My late father
spent more than half his life
locked up in either prison,
or an Army mental health facility
in Georgia.

Was he dangerous,
yes,
he could be,

could he have been helped
with his violence problem,
yes,
I think he could have been.

Did he ever get that help,
no.

When my uncle
took me to see my father,
father would always ask
if I had been in prison yet.

It always made him happy
to hear
I had not been to prison.

It’s my opinion
that the American penal system
is nothing more than
a self perpetuating
growth industry.

Bobby

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

1 posted 2008-05-14 09:57 PM

ABSOLUTELY true (and 'powerful') write!

All 'institutions' (and hierarchies) tend to trend toward a 'life'
of their own [come to exist purely for their own 'self-perpetuation'
and often 'evolve' counter to (and/or 'distanced' from) their original
(alleged) intent and purpose]

serious and sustained applause for this astute 'penning!'

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2 posted 2008-05-14 11:07 PM

Thanks Secondhanddreampoet,

The older I get, the more I’ve come to accept that life as we live it is all part of the animal tradition of survival of the fittest. There is nothing human, or humane about it. We are all victims of ourselves.

Bobby

shyvl
Senior Member

since 2008-04-11

Posts 531
texas, usa

3 posted 2008-05-14 11:44 PM

Prison, poverty and addictions are just a few of the woes we pass from generation to generation. Glad to see you broke the chain.
sharyn

"God made you as you are
in order to use you
as He planned" J.C. Macauley

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

4 posted 2008-05-14 11:52 PM

Thanks dear Sharyn,

Yes, I've been lucky enough to have escaped the prison part.

Love Bobby

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

5 posted 2008-05-15 12:02 PM

That must have been very difficult for your father ~ and for you.

One of my girlfriends has a healing ministry and she goes to prisons and sings inspirational songs to the inmates. She loves to see their faces light up ~ lifting their spirits beyond the prison walls and getting them in touch with the Divine and with their own humanity.

EA

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

6 posted 2008-05-15 01:01 PM

Thanks dear Linda,

Yes, it was always hard. However, we were both hard people.

That's a good thing your friend does. Dad would have enjoyed that.

Love Bobby

[This message has been edited by Robert E. Jordan (05-15-2008 01:32 PM).]

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

7 posted 2008-05-18 05:33 PM

Nice writing...you did good staying out of prison...James

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

8 posted 2008-05-18 06:36 PM

Thanks James,

Yes, I was lucky.

Bobby

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