Prison
The parents are stuck outside the Prison
Most vehicles are white black and grey
No one cares about individuality
The breeze blows the Palm trees that dont belong in this city
Screens on the tennis court fence flap
Whipping as much as they can
Everything here is dying to leave
If it weren’t for the orangish bricks this place would pass as a penitentiary
The kids inside glancing at the clock when the jailers turn their backs
Rolling a pencil back and forth between their fingers
We both have an hour to go…
At least I can write what I want while the clock creeps on
Its 2:15 towards the end of April
84 degrees out here
Somehow I bet it’s warmer inside
The top off my Silver Corvette is down
Its not grey
Its loud at least
There’s really no place to type in here
But I didnt buy it to type in
I cant just sit here
The grass is long the weeds are still
How are the tiny cream colored flowers the weeds?
Its These Palm trees that dont belong here
30 minutes left to the bell
Is it worth it?
If i leave home at 3 I sit in a line to pick up my baby
I might get her by 3:30
The line movers slow
The Parents in front are here to pick up the kids at the back
If I Leave my house at 2:10 Im here by 2:25
Sitting
Waiting
But I have her at 3:20 and we are home by 3:35
Then I have my time back
To do what with?
Anything I want
I guess that’s what I hate about all this
40 years later the school still controls my Time
Someday I’m sure ill be picking up grandchildren at one of these concentration camps
Where free thought isn’t allowed to flourish
Let alone free behavior
Just another old chauffeur
20 Minutes left until the children are pardoned
Sent to House Arrest
Homework…
I used to get in trouble for making a point at school about homework
If homework is schoolwork i need to do at home
Then at school i should have schoolwork
Thats things i need to do when I’m at home that i should do while I’m at school
I had to sit in a desk attached to a chair surrounded by a cubby at lunch
Small price to pay
I have Schoolwork to do anyway..
Gates jet up around this brutalist eyesore
What a tragedy
The outside doesn’t have to mask the atrocities within
It could be a place where creativity doesn’t go to die
We are both still stuck here
20 Minutes and the governor calls
Then on to another school to grab more of my offspring
While two more ride the Prison bus to the next stop
Big block Numbers on each door
Buzzers sound as the officers let you into the waiting room
Then you need ID and approval to enter the facility
Open 6
Send Vera to the office
She has a visitor
Open Harrisons Door
Lights change
That damn buzzer again
Click
See you tomorrow
Cell blocks by grade
Little inmates lined up in rows
Stickers on the carpet remind them where to stand for inspection
One hand behind your back the other holds a finger against pursed lips
Cameras everywhere
The Tennis team enters the scene
Maybe i have it all wrong
The boys seem to be playing around and laughing
Not a guard in sight
Making the best of it i guess
Workin out in the yard
There’s the whistle
Coach made it out
Hungover from the weekend
What were his dreams growing up
To tame those of others
He isn’t alone
Maybe its his prison too
Maybe he wishes he could dangle from that lanyard
Maybe we are all stuck in prisons
Whatever they look like wherever they are
10 Minutes
My car shut off
Who the hell is the operator here
15 min until shutdown
Why? Oh yea the environment
Turn the engine off if you’re not moving
The CarPlay still on playing some masterpiece about cats by Bukowski
More black cars more white cars
It really is hard to ignore
One lonely maroon mini van 5 cars ahead
Im close enough to hear the Boys tennis team
Bro
Bro
videos
Bro
YESS
Bro
Start the Getaway Car
Wave at the Sheriff
She’s out on good behavior
Schools out
Prison reopens tomorrow 8:15 Sharp