From cell block nine
I am released,
For a narrow window of time.
†
Cell Block Nine
Narrow Window of Time
With burlap covering my eyes
And my hands cuffed behind my back,
The guard knows I
Cannot attack.
†
With confidence he leads the way.
Not a word do I dare say.
†
My senses tell me I’m in a long corridor
But we have not yet passed through a door.
†
A Long Corridor
Door
When suddenly the guard’s grasp
Upon my arm adjusts
And I hear the rusty sound of metal.
†
I recognize the sound,
My memory serves me well
Inside this prison’s hell.
†
Prison’s Hell
I feel a hand now press my head,
This is my cue to bend.
†
I’m told to take another step
And with that step
I fear the place I may be near.
†
But finally the guard decides
For just a minute he’s on my side.
He tells me where I am
And where I shall reside.
†
Solitary Exercise Yard
My thirty minutes don’t last long
In the concrete yard
With little reward
But the sun’s deep warmth.
†
The sun, it makes me grin
And my mind wonders
Back to the days before
I stole the horse named Gin.
†
Four stone walls
And a concrete floor
Are the solitary exercise yard.
†
No hoop or ball
Just me and four concrete walls.
†
I pace
And make my heart race
While the sun beats down upon my face.
†
I smile all the while
Until at last
My name is called,
Metal scrapes,
And once again
To the darkness I dread
I am lead.
†
With each blind step I climb
My mind begins to numb.
†
Blind Steps
The solitary life that I now live,
Is one I must forgive.
†
copyright Robyn Graham
The poem above was inspired by a recent trip to Eastern State Penitentiary in which I did the audio tour and heard testimonies from former prisoners as well as former guards. If my memory serves me correctly, the first prisoner to experience solitary confinement was a man who stole a horse. His head was covered so that he could not define his where-a-bouts and so that no one could identify him. The images accompanying the poem are a few that I felt coordinated well with the story told through the poem. The quote below by Charles Dickens really summarizes what life in solitary confinement was like. The quote, too, fell in line with the words of my poem.
“Looking down these dreary passages, the dull repose and quiet that prevails, is awful. Occasionally, there is a drowsy sound from some lone weaver’s shuttle, or shoemaker’s last, but it is stifled by the thick walls and heavy dungeon-door, and only serves to make the general stillness more profound. Over the head and face of every prisoner who comes into this melancholy house, a black hood is drawn; and in this dark shroud, an emblem of the curtain dropped between him and the living world, he is led to the cell from which he never again comes forth, until his whole term of imprisonment has expired….He is a man buried alive; to be dug out in the slow round of years….
And though he lives to be in the same cell ten weary years, he has no means of knowing, down to the very last hour, in what part of the building it is situated; what kind of men there are about him; whether in the long winter night there are living people near, or he is in some lonely corner of the great jail, with walls, and passages, and iron doors between him and the nearest sharer in its solitary horrors.” – Charles Dickens in 1842 after he visited the Eastern State Penitentiary
Great images and poetic imagery
Thank you Mom. Love and miss you! R-
Great images, but what a soul destroying place.
Thanks Lee. It was a soul destroying place…I can’t fathom it. The good news is that inside their cells they had a purpose, the made shoes and various things. At least something to pass the time alone. Have a great day! Robyn
Striking post, Robyn, bringing all this to life very well – and I especially like the image above the words “Prison’s Hell”. Adrian
Thanks so much Adrian. That is one of my favorite images too…leaves the mind wondering in a sense. Blessings, Robyn
some Johnny Cash prison songs came into my wind watching your impressive gallery …
That made me smile Frizz! Johnny had numerous songs that would have been great back ground music for this post. Thanks for taking time to comment, and for the compliment! Best, Robyn
That’s great Frizz! I got a good chuckle out of it…25 minutes to go!
of course Johnny Cash’s state of mind has a too strong attitude of ignorance or even absurd happiness – your photo gallery has much more empathy! congrats!
So true on Johnny’s state of mind and attitude…thanks for the compliments..made my day! Robyn
he used the Fulsom prison visit for self promotion – making a copy the true work of Alan Lomax before (who saved Huddie Ledbetter = Leadbelly)
Great! Just great! Thanks for sharing! I’m learning so much about music from you this morning!
Pingback: Prison Songs | Flickr Comments
Thanks for the shout out Frizz!
thank you Robyn, you inspired me to write this:
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/prison-songs/
of course with links to you, I hope, that will support your work!
Thanks to Frizztext, I was able to see this work…such visceral images- and words to amplify the fear and despair. Amazing.
Thanks for visiting Westseventhfreelance! And thanks so much for the kind words about my images and poetry. Please visit again soon! Blessings, Robyn
That leaves quite an impression, Robyn – the photos and the prose.
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking time to comment Lynne. Have a wonderful day! Robyn
Your pictures and poem really make me as if I’m the prisoner that was walking along the corridor into the solitary room.
Thanks Chris. My goal was to stimulate emotions and from your point of view I succeeded. This makes me very happy. And, thankful, that you are not victim to such cruel punishment! Enjoy your day out in the world! Blessings, Robyn
What a haunting place! You’ve captured the ‘heavy’ atmosphere just brilliantly, Robyn! I can’t even imagine what it must have felt like to have been incarcerated there… wow… haunting (and fascinating)! 🙂
Thanks so much Robert! So happy to know my images conveyed the atmosphere..it is indeed haunting, chilling, and fascinating all at once. Enjoy the day! Robyn
wonderful set!
Thank you very much Vincent! Have a wonderful day! Robyn
striking and poignant post, Robyn.. with stunning photos .. the poems and the photos complement each other excellent.. a chilling post.
groetjes, Francina
Thank you Francina! Thank you very much! Blessings, Robyn
Fantastic images Robyn! You certainly know how to set a mood! 🙂
Thanks for supporting my blog!
Thanks so much Craig!
Great pictures and writing. And Frizz… enjoyed the music also!
Thanks so much Harold! I appreciate that! Best, Robyn
Beautifully portrayed Robyn … like the soul trapped and chained in darkness until chains broken, prison door opened and soul set free … only … only … only through the precious blood and love of Jesus.
So very, very true cottage on strawberry! So very, very true! Blessings, Robyn
Truly astounding talent. Both in your way with words and your stellar photographic skill. As a new writer, and a long time fan of photographic art, it is with great pleasure I tell you I cannot wait to see and read more.
Keep Inspiring
WOW! Thank you so very much for your kind words and encouragement. You have inspired me more than you can imagine – you made my day! Blessings, Robyn
Outstanding images and words Robyn, I’m going to have to reblog this 🙂
Thank yo ever so much Joe! I truly appreciate that!
Reblogged this on The Visual Chronicle and commented:
Here are some outstanding photos and wonderful words from a fellow blogger Robyn Graham on the same subject as I posted today. I hope you will visit her site.
So kind of you to mention me Joe! I appreciate your kind words and recognition! I’m honored! Enjoy the day!
You also Robyn 🙂
Fantastic!
Thank you ever so much!
Built to wear down.
Yes, built to wear down.
Wonderful photos.
Thanks so very much!