How Can I Tell You?
Flow can I tell you what it is like
- to be in three jails in eight nights?
- to be transported in shackles and chains?
- to be with women suffering withdrawal from crack and heroin lying on the floor like animals?
- to hear the sound of the keys, the slamming of doors?
- to sleep on plastic mattresses with lights on?
- to live with no windows in a 12 x 14 space with four other women, 24 hours a day?
- to never be alone in a room?
How can I tell you what it is like
- to have a guard bring us a deck of cards?
- to have a jail chaplain visit daily?
- to have inmates share a bag of commissary goodies?
- to be supported by families, friends and communities?
- to be detached, to be stripped of every thing but self?
I know
I can tell you over a cup. Of tea when next we meet.
