Penitentiary System

April 3, 2012

Lips unmoving But many of the others are speeding. My eyes can't seem to get past The large crowd of people, All with the same outfit on. Reminds me of the army, But where I am is worse. Here, Nothing is allowed. There's is no such thing as Speaking out, Or having your own thought. Lord knows, That's how you got here In the first place. And then of course There are the trivial things; No phone calls unless monitored No belongings unless searched No visitors unless scanned No anything unless approved By the watchful guard's in the towers and offices. Surrounded by black spiked fence, With cameras in little crooks, And eyes everywhere. You are nothing but a number here. You seep in what you are told, But never know if it's worth wile. Counseled to believe You are getting what you deserve, But are you really? Everything is based on Irrelevant numbers and averages, That can either set you free Or keep you handcuffed. Do nothing unless told otherwise, Do nothing other than what you're told. Locked down, Beaten down, Can't get up. Will I have anything To help me survive On the other side If I ever get out? I have to rely on myself, Because this is a race to the top, And I'm falling behind Because of these actions I am told to replicate Based on the past. I am the child left behind, Along with a others I see, All dressed like me. Someone save me. Someone save us. Excuse me. The bell rang. I have to get to my next class now.

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RebeccaYSPerez

I'm a fiction writer as well as a poet. Just recently graduated from University Heights High School, the birth school of Power Writers the program that started the Power Poetry ideal. I have been a writer for a majority of my life, and a Power Writer for the past four. I am enrolling in college to get an English degree so I can teach high school English classes, and maybe one day write my own book. Poetry has been my homage for many years now and has helped me through some of my very own personal struggles and led the way towards the healing of these things. I would be more than happy to help and offer my opinion to everyone, as well as share my own stories. We are all here not only to create but to connect. Becca.

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Comments (6)

GediGambrellDec 27, 2016

that last sentence really got to me. You set this poem up really nicely and the description is amazing too.

Jan WienenDec 4, 2016

Thanks for the insight ...

EllavaderMay 9, 2015

Wow. This is so powerful. I was mystified all throughout your poem. First I thought it might have been about Iran or something because of your photo, then I thought it was a mental hospital, and finally I was convinced that it was a prison until I read the end, which threw me off completel . Beautifully written and great organization. Love it!!

beccalynntaskerJan 30, 2014

Exremely striking. Love it!

rogersbrmsOct 18, 2013

I love how this shows how stuck many students feel in school and how they feel their freedom is limited. It's like any creativity and indviduality is taken away.

jwienerJul 24, 2012

This poem outright addresses the fact that in many schools, students do not feel appreciated as individuals, because they are only viewed as numbers. If you send this poem to your school I'm sure it would make a big difference in the way teachers think about their students.