I do not feel sad or ashamed.
I do not feel anything.
I just am,
here in this pea green box.

The windows and the clock
are placed together strategically--
window, clock, window--
to mock the inmates

The windows stand at attention to our right,
twin soldiers with everything to hide.
They are useless in their
colorless uniform.
I think sometimes
they giggle at their own stupid jokes.
I can hear them when no one else is talking.

Between them floats the clock,
a prim and proper gatekeeper with everything to hide
small and round, untouchable.
I watch him move his hands
round and round they go.
I think sometimes,
he gets nervous and slows them down
because everyone is watching him.

It does not matter why I am here
why any of us are here.
When the bell rings,
we are free of guards and silence.
We become part of One again.
It is impossible to tell
the difference between us
and the rest of them.

The only proof will be the paper warriors
that dragged us in by our hair.
Tomorrow they will disappear.
They won't exist for a while.

I can feel in my gut
that release is close.
My insides shake
and I am ready to be outside again.

I can almost taste the sunshine.