I must admit that this came forth very painfully. I’m supposed to be writing for my book on prison ministry, but this came out instead.
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An Immeasurable Distance
A young black face Male In profile Through the narrow cell window Just his profile He was leaning His back against the wall Standing Less than two feet away But the door The cell door The solid steel cell door Imposed an immeasurable distance Between us A gulf socioeconomic, judicial, racial A span of years, experiences, hopes, dreams Fears Separated us He spoke softly “It’s hard,” he said “I know,” was my only reply Tears Flowed instantly Glistening on his dark skin Catching the light from the small window Twelve feet away I also wept … inside Silently, invisibly Carrying on my own tears Hundreds of young men Hidden behind those doors For the past twelve years I’ve stood at those doors This young man facing life Without parole Wept Now 25 years old He was eighteen The day I first knocked on his door© 2013 Thomas W. Cummins
Tags: justice, poetry, prison, prison chaplain, prison ministry, racism, Social Justice
In a dim light... 
January 23, 2013 at 6:51 pm |
Powerful and incredibly tragic.
January 28, 2013 at 8:41 pm |
Thank you, Thomas. What a thoughtful, emotional piece.