Whats A Prisoner to Do?

What's a prisoner to do when justice fails
and the innocent is escorted off to jail?

What's a prisoner to do once stigmatized,
caged and abandoned and ostracized?

What's a prisoner to do there's no one to trust;
the system fails and the outcome unjust?

What's a prisoner to do when family decide
the punishment is warranted and justified?

What's a prisoner to do while confined in a cell;
the perpetrator's free and faring quite well?

What's a prisoner to do once his reputation is dead
and his life has been ruined because of what someone said?

What's a prisoner to do when he's not believed,
though he's telling the truth, he's thought to deceive?

What's a prisoner to do as he sits all alone,
no one seems to care; former friends all gone?

What's a prisoner to do sitting lost and idle
and most of one's thoughts become suicidal?

What's a prisoner to do when freedom's taken away
and the will to live diminishes each day?

What's a prisoner to do when hedged in by strife;
with no escape possible; no chance for a new life?

What's a prisoner to do when he can no longer see
the beauty of the sky or the waves of the sea?

What's a prisoner to do when the sun he can't feel,
nor the breeze of spring because his fate is sealed?

What's a prisoner to do when doomed to despair
but still praying to escape the electric chair?

Tell me, what's a prisoner to do?

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available in July.

You are welcome to visit AMEN Ministries: Your Souls' service Station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification or to browse our newly expanded mini shopping mall. http://www.clergyservices4u.org.

Blessings to all!

---

The Man Who Could Not Say Sorry For His Sins

Sorry would be a start.Though you cant take back your... Read More

Why I enjoy Writing?

During interviews and general conversations with the public,one of the... Read More

Sleep, Dreams, and a Poem

The Incubus' Flash-lightHe looked inside my head And found a... Read More

Farewell to Lester Graybill

I never met a man, who could shake my hand,... Read More

Two Poems: Black Poncho, and Spirits of de Copan [in English and Spanish]

English Version12) Black Poncho(of Saint Cosme Hill, by Lima, Peru)Lost... Read More

Rhymes of an Ordnance Man [Vietnam War: 1971]

Rhymes of an Ordnance Man [Vietnam War: 1971]An eleven part... Read More

Tsunami Day

A Poem - By Lorraine KemberIt was a day like... Read More

Since Youve Been Gone...

My life has changedin so so many waysIt seems to... Read More

Tale of the: Old Hunter and the Golden Hare [In SPANISH and English now]

There once lived an old man and his goodwife On... Read More

Rules for Writing Poetry

You've been writing poetry since that first assignment in your... Read More

Poetry and Popular Culture

Is poetry too complicated for the average reader? Is it... Read More

Choices

You can do and you can be whatever you want.... Read More

Asha of Darfur [A poem with a commentary by the author]

Asha of DarfurCry, cry-oh little Darfur woman For your sister... Read More

Little Girl from Huancayo [a poem/in English and Spanish]

Little girl from HuancayoDo you really, really know? Just how... Read More

The Gaul of La Laguna de Paca

Part OneI tell you a legend of long ago Of... Read More

Three Poems: Dona Leonors Revenge; The Old Moon; Common Sides [All in Spanish/all in English]

1) Doña Leonor's Revenge [1627 AD]Rafael Ortiz's fate Was... Read More

Five Poems

Poems have different cores, or so I believe, and can... Read More

Commuting Hell!

It's dark, it's cold, its' just six thirty,thoughts of sleep... Read More

Exalted Poetry; Two poem [and commentary]

Bells for Belphegor!...Where immortal veils never meet Belphegor, Arch devil... Read More

Three Poems: The Monkey Man of Lima, Plus Two More

What Hides behind the Minute?What hides behind the minute? It... Read More

A Hundred and Fifty Dead [Korean War--l952]

There I sat, ninety-five degree weatherOutside; the bookstore café, was... Read More

Banana Republic

Like a cat I slumber, blissfully unencumbered, Through eighty per... Read More

The Lull of Twilight [Over Mantaro Valley] In English and Spanish

Twilight, was now beginning. As forthe sun, it was down-down... Read More

Three Poems: Liberty, Death, and a Frog [with Commentary on Liberty]

Frog SummerSummer grows hot, for the New-blooded frogs; The bugs... Read More

Black Blood, in Jeremiahs Vines - A Poem and an Article

Black Blood, in Jeremiah's Vines [A Dream Poem]And I heard... Read More

Three Poems [Lima; Judges and Evils Creation]

1.Evil's CreationThou knowith evil clings To tender peace-; Nor does... Read More

Write Your Way to Fame

Have you ever thought about how nice it would be... Read More

Grandpas House & From Iraq with Love [Two Poems]

Grandpa's House [The ole Real House]The house needed painting Sun-blistered... Read More

Its What She Didnt Say

When I hear your voice inside my head it makes... Read More

Let Your Feelings Be Your Guide

The light of all eternity shines with me now /... Read More

Chan Chan and The Gorriones (Two Poems in English and Spanish)

The following two poems, one in English, the other in... Read More

Famous Poets Quotations - Top 30 Poetry Quotations by Famous Poets

"For this reason poetry is something more philosophical and more... Read More

A World That Doesnt Care

War bombs may explode demolishing man and land. Hurricanes may... Read More