»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #18
»
Jailed Pen pals
| Open Poetry #18 |
|
Jailed Pen pals |
|
|
ecrivan Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923my own state 
|
I would have thought the idea absurd but lately have chanced on news the must be heard; there are convicts in centers around the states whose families have abandoned them... they sit and wait. Not all prisoners deserve writing to or forgiving but a few show signs... they merit some giving, this means continued effort on the inmate you write if he responds, he is likely looking for windows to the light. Will you start to write and then abandon your pen if you find that he asks you for money to send? This is a question that you should ask before you start for the motives a prisoner has, might cause you to part. I understand that some are sincerely lonely and in need of moral support they have committed one infraction and are sensitive to penal retort; others have murdered and are repeat felon cases I would examine their bios carefully and look into their faces. you will read their bios that might have been cooked or you might find new sincerity and find yourself hooked; Discretion should rule, you use a post office box and keep in mind that you are bringing welcomed winds of change. [This message has been edited by ecrivan (02-02-2002 11:26 PM).] |
||
| © Copyright 2002 Martin Dansky - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
Very good, Martin.....you are a poet with a social conscience! Do you actually have any pen pals in prison?  copyright2002 Lyra Nesius |
||
|
ecrivan Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923my own state |
Not yet Lyra, by the way Happy Birthday to Victor! I am thinking about doing so and it will take some time to choose before I start  One will be enough to keep, I do think that many do change especially if they are in because of a minor theft. |
||
Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
ecrivan, Not for the naive to be sure. As a former social worker...oh never mind. They certainly have needs and there are many of them. Good write and somber issue! |
||
|
ecrivan Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923my own state |
Go ahead Larry, I'd like to read what your esperiences are, why not email me if you would rather not put that on this system. And you are no longer into community work, or what did you actually do? |
||
|
N orth Carolina Girl Senior Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 962NC,USA |
Martin,I would surely think twice before writing to a prisoner.I don`t think you can be to careful about anything today.I really thought this was an interesting subject.Great Job! :wave; Juanita |
||
RosePetal
since 2001-08-26
Posts 2985South Florida |
hmm very very wise and interesting. I remember a couple of years ago, I wanted to write a letter to john gotti and just find out all the reasons behind his madness! I neevr wrote the letter though because I figured I'd be safer that way lol. |
||
|
ecrivan Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923my own state |
It is safer, especially when the person is a repeat offender and/or considered labile At least were both socially conscious in a way, the prison system might provide some materials but I don't know about lending an ear at times. |
||
|
peppermint35 Senior Member
since 2000-05-28
Posts 1106Texas, USA |
It is certainly something worth considering.. as long as one keeps a clear head.. Good write, Martin.. you keep on making me think!!! Sometimes that's painful.. lmao.. Pepper |
||
|
Chrissy Member
since 2002-01-24
Posts 81Idaho, no I am not a farmer! |
At the risk of sounding like a horrible person...Im going to tell my story... I was a Daddy's girl, goody goody, I was a cheerleadeer, on the softball team, and the volleyball team in High School. I am only 20 now, and in the last couple of months got myself in some trouble. I spent 15 days in Jail, and that also went along with comunity serive, and probation. Little miss...I have everything...went to Little miss...I am so alone. I made some friends, realized that know matter what, we all looked like crap in there, and nonody was better than anyone else. in this Time I regained my faith, and met some of the coolest people. I still write to them, and get letters back. (I just got out Dec. 15th) And I love it when they tell me how much i have brightened their day. It really does help. Okay, my sob story is over....on to your poem. I want to thank you for writing something like this, and I hope it will get the message out. It would have been nice while I was in there. I will tell you that. I would like to send this on, and defintely keep it in my library...but only with your permission. Thank you so much!! Chrissy Dance like noone is watching |
||
|
Chrissy Member
since 2002-01-24
Posts 81Idaho, no I am not a farmer! |
ps. I didint do anything really horrible. It just sounds like that. If you would like to know...Email me and I would be glad to talk about it with you Dance like noone is watching |
||
|
Victoria
since 2000-08-12
Posts 5869 |
My husband met a guy this year..was a real nice family man and he worked at a slot hall here in Amarillo, and one day my husband received a letter from him asking him to pay for a newspaper subscription for him because he was in jail for something he didnt do and his wife had abondoned him..so my husband did take out a newpaper subscription for him. ~Victoria~ |
||
|
ecrivan Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923my own state |
Hello Chrissy, Yes please keep it in your library, your reply is proof that there is a lot of good that a young person can do even though sometimes they 'take the wrong path'(hate to use cliches). Paradoxically that wrong path proved to reward you with friends who appreciate your kindness.Fifteen days though is not as much as years some people do in correction centers. If you have a spiritual side, I would use it but not just in time of need I light a sabbath candle every Friday, makes me feel good Lastly somebody like yourself can set an example to friends or acquaintances. Prison is not a nice place to be.you might know that slip up in life.  [This message has been edited by ecrivan (02-04-2002 03:03 PM).] |
||
|
ecrivan Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923my own state |
Hi Victoria, You husband then sets a fine example. I can't afford a subscription for myself let alone somebody down and out but I can afford a stamp and an enevelope and that was my message |
||
|
ecrivan Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923my own state |
Pepper, I think getting out of one's comfort zone is difficult for a lot of people, maybe that's what you mean? |
||
|
RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
Sometimes all the hope available to those incarcerated is the bible and a thoughtful word from someone through which they can live vicariously. How much information you impart about yourself is in your control and how much worse can it be then the unseen vipers on the internet? Rehabilitation, recreation and for that matter nutrition and support are non existant in American prisons and jails where the bottom rung of the socioeconomic ladder is not only the bulk of it's inhabitants but too it's guards. Most prisons and jails will accept the gift of books, even used, provided they are mailed by bookstores. "Happy people have no history" - French Proverb |
||
|
brianbeaudry Member
since 2001-07-20
Posts 410Northern Ontario Canada |
All people should be treated with kindness and compassion....some may grow from it...others may not...the giver always will!!!!Great poem and message my friend!! |
||
|
ecrivan Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923my own state |
so I have a forum here where if you the reader are not to want risking some time because someone who needs rehabilation is not getting that...this is not directed to you. Thankyou RGWells for your input, Chrissy for your confession, and you Brian for your good thoughts. I will persevere in my task to reach at least one prisoner and remind and lend him an ear and a heart. |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
