Poetry
1 min
Bus Ride (Diesel Therapy)
Gary Farlow
We are awakened at 3 am
bodies slouching
eyes full of sleep
we shuffle our . . . the moon!
Harassed and yelled at by guards
"tuck that shirt in!"
"stand straight!"
"eyes to the front!"
"no talking!"
The halogen lights cast eerie shadows
no one makes eye contact
peanut butter and crackers for breakfast
ten minutes to eat . . . no drink
we move out
Each bus holds sixty-five
packed like sardines
in an oil of anxiety
the cuffs are clinched tight
this is "diesal therapy"
We pull out onto the highway
morning commuters pass us
wonder what they had for breakfast
hey you, in the red Honda
do you know how precious your freedom is?
Boundaries and Bridges is a collection by incarcerated and unconfined writers from across the U.S. that explores connection and disconnection related to the justice system. This collection is supported by The Learning Inside Out Network (LION), an Alaska-based grassroots group that increases access to quality participation in artistic exchanges for people inside and out of the carceral system.
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