you don know bout it like i do
Fin lives in California's Central Valley and is interested in social issues and creative writing.
you don know bout it like i do
was a time here when you could get
real fried chicken
and steak and sometimes pork chops
baked potatoes
with real vegetables and bread
and none of the staff messed with it
and took it home like they do today
he says
now it all goes out the back door
and no one is looking
and they wink and smile at each other
we come here they treat us no good like
The inmate who is speaking is a man with probably
twenty years on me. His voice is
deep and rich with a hint of a southern drawl
even though I'm told that hes from California - all his life.
His skin is dark and he carries himself with the confidence
of someone in his sixties who has been down many roads
and come back from most. He doesn't smile and tells me his stories
matter of fact like. I listen interested
not only to his words...
tryna tell you about when i heard
some talkin that i used to work for
i was in with the guard and he was good to
me and says to "watch out for 'em
because some of them
is like one type of family"
they all talk like theys southern
sayin
n------ this and n----- that
but then smilin' to my face
with their shoes all shinin'
and their smiles with white teeth
I think I understand what he's talking about
and listen to him speak. I make it a point not
to get too involved in the conversations. But
it doesn't hurt to listen. I don't agree or
try to counter his statements.
I am between the devil and the deep blue sea.
its like that in some places
on the outside even
i didn't always used to be in here
was a time i was sellin stuff
workin for a compny out in the sticks
near Parlier or someplace like that
went into town and theys warning me
already to watch it
watch yer back and such
but i know it
in here its the same
but one time i was takin'
the tools out to fer the vendor
and to this garage
i came up to this corner
and was walkin' my rounds
and in the signpost
they had it hangin'
up there like it belongs
just up there
hangin like a little
effigy it was
hangin'
these clowns in here
are the same as there
as it used to be
nothin' changes
outside and here
© 2019 Fin
