Freedom in an Envelope

Prisoners are people,

Human beings,

As much as you and me.

Thought provoking,

Emotion evoking,

Freedom deferred — makes outside contact our key need.

Incarceration bars us from supports.

Barely any family,

Friends,

Or community networks.

Writing connects us to the free world.

Just as visits from family and friends uplift us through a rough term.

Little access to current happenings from the news.

Recent events are hidden constantly from our view.

Leaving us counting on correspondence for a clue.

Word of mouth,

Mailed in gossip,

Updates us all and chases away the blues.

Often times a letter received,

Grants solace -appeasing our chained inner beast.

Visitation erases the walls,

The fences,

And the distance from our homes and our streets.

A few words via the phone,

Scribbling on a few sheets.

Elicits appreciation like you could never believe.

The time taken to correspond,

Whether a short response,

Or long,

Builds respect,

Destroys resent,

Bonding you and us from beyond.

A couple paragraphs sooth a caged soul.

It does more good,

And keeps the peace,

More than most outsiders will ever know.

Envelopes containing photos are protected as though they were gold.

We treasure letters like scripture or an ancient tome to behold.

Word from home,

Hugs from our beloved,

The sound of thoughtful voices over the phone.

These few things show a prisoner love.

That love gives us purpose and ability to fix our life.

Empowerment to complete a rough week,

Turn our other cheek,

Becoming someone determined to do right.

Your love sealed in envelopes,

Visits,

Or through a collect call…

Sometimes is the only message that gets through to any of us at all.