poems Dead Man Walking & No Hands

Dead Man Walking

Dead man walking around today
Listen and heed the words that I say
Wandering pointlessly they don’t seem to care
Like a horror movie or frightening nightmare

Breath they have they’re physically alive
But their memories are dying along with their minds
They have a voice, yes, they’re able to speak
For someone to listen they endlessly seek

With no one to hear them how can they defend
Barely a whisper an echo in the wind
As their memories flee they recall once more
That fate is sealed behind close doors

Thoughts occur that are painfully clear
Of childhood innocence and loved ones so dear
Will these memories fade?
Will this ever end?
For now father time is their only true friend

Destined to dwell in this graveyard of steel
Buried with memories… losing their will
They’re really not in debt, but have a price to pay
As dead man walking these grounds today

by Rube
Massachusetts Correctional Institution, Shirley

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No Hands

She was the One
Who carried me for 9 whole months – once.
Taught me how to fly

Or survive
The best I can.

And because of that One
Single
Act of Love
I was able to spread my wings
And find a soft place to land.
I can just see
Right now
That big
Humongous smile on her face
When I look back at her
And say:
“LOOK MA
NO HANDS.”

by Omar Abdullah
Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, Norfolk