pink ash clouds
fade
into a
Mona Lisa
painted
canvas sky
captured
the
portrait
Mona Lisa smile

when
the
autumn leaves
naturally
fold
themselves
into
a flock of
red origami birds
then
we
take flight
to
the
Far East Land

In prison, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are birthday cake,
and ramen noodles a succulent meal.
In prison, everyone's given shower shoes,
but pillows you have to steal.

In prison, the "beds" are worse than the floor,
the "blankets" giant SOS pads.
In prison, lice goes around like soup du jour,
and **** talk spreads like mad.

In prison, all you see is gray,
color only lives on your screen.
Now you're picturing us watching a 60-inch all day,
but it's only 13 by 13.

In prison, there's no such thing as steak, there's no such thing as meat.
Almost everything that resembles either is fake.
Real milk would be a real treat.

In prison, you still need money,
or you go to bed hungry each night.
It's seriously not funny.
Three small "meals"a day  
isn't right.

In prison, if you don't lock it down, another con will steal it.
There's more than enough desperation to go around,
and everyone can feel it.

In prison I was years ago.
I'm a different person today.
But the shame felt from being forced to bend over, spread my legs, and cough,
well that's never gone away.

For several thousand miles
we have travelled together
in the finest and roughest of days
we never doubted each other--

but now you have changed you mind
and a new path you want me to follow
that's not what my heart will consent to
we must part, much to our sorrow

He has offered to share all his life with me.
He isn’t afraid that I’ll tidy up his dreams
And put them away so he’ll never again find them.

He’s willing to look at me each morning of forever.
It doesn’t worry him that time has already sketched in
The places where lines will be shorty etched.

He’s asked me to give him all my tomorrows
And hasn’t a fear they may not be worth
All the golden hope he’ll invest in them.

He has assured me that I’m a necessity to him
And won’t ever be classified as habit instead,
When, with the years, he grows used to me.

He needs me in spite of my tottering strength.
He wants me with all of my imperfect beauty.
He loves me in answer to my lifelong prayers
Perfectly.
                        Ls