Jail-Like

Some inmates, when released from jail, Don’t waste a lot of time Before old habits do prevail And they commit a crime. A subsequent arrest may cause A trip back to the cell And to the life that prisoner Has come to know so well. The outside world intimidates; Protection disappears, But being back eliminates The risk of hidden fears. Like convicts, I am also stuck Inside my Covid realm, Not knowing when I’ll have the pluck To once more take the helm.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 3/10/2021 11:31:00 AM

I think a lot of people do like to scurry back into the comfort of whatever they have gotten used to for themselves. "But being back eliminates The risk of hidden fears." Nice.

Jan Allison

Date: 3/6/2021 3:56:00 PM

I think we have all felt like prisoners since covid came on the scene ... we are on lockdown for the 3rd time and this time it is really bad with the new variant sweeping across the Island at an alarming rate... the 3 week 'firebreak' will probably be at least 3 months:-(:-( hugs Jan xx

Rico Leffanta

Date: 3/4/2021 10:53:00 AM

I don't know where Sam Kauffman lives, but in Hawai'i, most of the convicts released due to COVID-19, were re-arrested within one week of their release! You live in the Big Apple, where taking a big bite is always tempting . . ..Aloha! Rico

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 3/4/2021 7:59:00 AM

Covid has made many of us feel like we were in "jail." Solitary confinement at that. (And I do think some people continue to commit crime because they don't know how to live outside of jail. So sad.) Hugs, Carolyn

Robert Pettit

Date: 3/3/2021 4:33:00 PM

It seems like we are all prisoners these days to a virus we cannot see or feel until it has surreptitiously seized us. Good write as usual, Ilene.

Sam Kauffman

Date: 3/3/2021 1:28:00 PM

Wonderful analogy, ilene! Your poem made me think of the "journey of a thousand miles" quote. Just an aside - have volunteered in prisons with a retreat program. After going through this program only 9% of these inmates, when released, return to prison. A song I wrote for one of the weekends was adopted as the international theme song and is sung all over the world. What an honor.