Off Easy
You let me off easy, you said. No time.
What you didn’t say was all the dollars probation would cost.
You let me off easy, you said. But what’s easy
about searching for cash that doesn’t exist,
just to mail in forms for you to file away? What’s easy
about needing to ask for time off from work, to meet
your officers, who have nothing to say, and
who don’t care that I needed that hour’s pay
to keep on my lights and to pay my son’s school.
No wonder there’s always a next time.
What would you do, Judge, if your baby cried out of hunger?
If your wife shivered in a cold basement apartment?
If your mama needed meds to help her breathe?
What’s easy about not knowing how to explain a missed game,
to a son who still doesn’t believe I’m coming home each night,
just to meet your officers for a 10-minute “meeting”
that is 60 miles in the wrong direction, only to suffer
their disinterested stares and smoky corridors?
No wonder quitting is so hard. Nothing. Nothing
easier than life on the other side, I say. It’s harder
out here. In there, I can close my eyes to the tears.
To the cries. In there, I can’t lose dignity I never had.
There’s nothing easy about any of your protocols.
Next time, I’ll choose the hard way. Cause the easy way,
it ain’t so easy.
Hey, Mr. D.
Hey, Mr. D. I see you. Do you see me?
You call my number twice a day.
Sometimes more. I cause you
no trouble. I do as you say.
Hey, Mr. D. Do you see me?
I know the sounds of your step.
Your black sneakers are my
favorite. Even though your
pants are too short.
I wonder who
gave them to you.
Do you have a son, Mr. D.?
I’m gonna buy
my own pair. One day.
I watch for the light
That bounces off your
whistle and lets me know
you approach. I hear your breathing,
More labored as the day goes on.
I worry about you, Mr. D.
Does that surprise you?
I make no rules. Nor do you.
Both of us, broken pieces
in the system. Some say you
correct us. I say you bring
us peace. We don’t decide
our moves. Not in here. But you,
you move beyond. What’s it like
on the other side, Mr. D.? Do
You still wear your whistle?
Do you look up, at the sky?
I can’t remember
what it looks like.
Tell me, please.
What do you see?
I no longer can.
I listen, instead. Our 5 AM bell.
My routine begins. Yours, too.
Predictability. That’s what I’ve got,
On this side. What I never
had out there.
Do you like it out there?
I hope so, Mr. D.
Do you ever think of me?
When you’re out there?
On the other side?
I hope so, Mr. D.
I see you.
You Said to Come Ready
You said to come ready
Bring your best
So I did
My Vans
I love
Those shoes
My denim
The pair that
Fits me just right
You said to come ready
Bring your best
So I did
I got there early
But they
were already there
They came ready
They brought their best
They fit just right
My Vans couldn’t
compete
with their spikes
My denim felt wrong
When up against
their lycra tights
They knew the rules
Where to stand
How to talk
I knew
only the address
The corner of 6th and Broad
My home turf
They drive in
Lock all doors
I take the train
And forget to lock mine
There’s nothing
To take
Their cars are
gassed up
Ready to go
My train runs late
a 6-minute delay
System problems
System problems
I love a good game
But I need the rules