P O E T S ON THE LINE
a continuing anthologyFounded by Andrew Gettler & Linda Lerner
NO. 9 & 10 T H E M I L L E N N I U M I S S U E
Edited by Linda Lerner
A.D. WINANS
Folsom Prison
At Folson Prison
the guards joke and laugh
as they have me empty
my pockets inside out
taking everything from me
leaving me with only my note book
and a handful of poems
The guard in the watch tower
watching the prisoners in the
courtyard below
his hi-powered rifle
at the ready
the warden distrustful
maybe even fearful
stations a guard outside
the small room where
the poetry workshop is heldthe sharing of words
barely begins when
I look outside the window
see a bird light on top
of the prison wall
looking East then West
before spreading its wings
and flying North
Free as free was meant to be
as I turn my attention
to the guard in the back
of the room
hiding behind dark shades
looking more the outlaw
than the law
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