Prison Is…

Prison
is bars
cells
shackles and cuffs
Prison
is a physical building
surrounded by walls with razor wire
guards with guns
dogs patrolling
Prison
is a place of slave labor
overcrowding
with no human rights
no pay, no privacy
no future
Prison
is not only bars and shackles
being locked behind walls
with razor wire on top
Prison
is also being stuck in depression
hopelessness and despair
it is the shame of sexual assault
the fear of domestic violence
the confusion of not being heard
Prison
is also being a single mother
asking for help
and being blamed for being in that place
but it was the man who left you and your children
Prison
is becoming addicted
not understanding how
or being able to break free
being unable to get into a treatment facility
because they are all full
Prison is being alone
Prison is minimum wage
Prison is working 60 hours a week to feed your children
Prison is being unable to find trusted childcare
Prison is Misogyny
Prison is Racism
Prison is Injustice
Prison is Hatred
This poem was inspired by a one-line prompt by Ambreen Shabbir.

