Inside

I recently heard a prisoner say,
“we invest in weapons of mass destruction
but not in the uplifting
of the lowest class of people”
slightly paraphrased
so the message can be clear
now reflect
…
has war-
its potential
and preparation-
become our sole identity?
what are we defending against
when we are mostly defending a fence
built to keep some out
and some in-
whether borders
or prisons-
or destroy those
with different worldviews
billions of dollars in aid given
to those unable to defend themselves
but America, I say to you
what about us
where is the investment in us
a handout, is not an investment
it is a crippling
it creates stagnation
and resentment
with the allusion and benefit
of rewarded ineptitude
creating competing class views
detaching the masses from the few
so the weapons of mass destruction
are really the lack of investment
in our urban locations,
schools, teachers,
jobs, women, and youth

I watch fat birds
flying free
in my misery
getting full
from food
we refuse to eat
our neglect feeds
life is complete
even prisoners
give life
when it’s only death
that we see

I heard from a fellow convict:
“history is about knowing and understanding what happened, why it happened, so it won’t be repeated”
this is how life is built on
so there can be lesson in avoiding it
yet a poignant one in being so steeped in it
but all I see is it being a point of judgment
instead of wise instructions
and the prevailing discernment
but when I learn from mine
you still seem set on defining me by it
while avoiding your own
and that of the world’s
I strongly question what you assert as wisdom