Black and white uniform
birch sentries stand
along view denying fog
shrouding an older GMC,
odious grayward rumbling,
trundling, along chassis pelting
gravel road, sounding cadence to
a timeless sad blue tide inside.
Soon through a strong iron gate,
disgorging more tidal denial to
the dark cerulean ocean inside
Taycheedah Correctional.
Only processing serves welcome
as cold fishy eyes consider bleak future.
There are no clocks,
only regimen to ponder
isolation constrains
for some a reckless
wanton adolescence,
netted by some usury lover,
Or swimming to selfish greed,
perhaps yet even moral disregard .
All this bland flotsam floating
unnoticed by our world
still cries out to color
an unlistening world:
You cannot imprison
hope. - Jerry Wendt 2021
Taycheedah is a Federal Prison for women in Wisconsin
