A poem I wrote

[malibu10]

I have agoraphobia so even though the ride to see my son is only about six hours, I have a very difficult time going to see him. This poem describes the similarities between his being in prison and the prison my mind has created for me.


Bars and Wire

Watching the sunset, a wave of
sadness washes over me.
Every evening it’s the
same. My heart aches
as I think of my son,
seeing this same sunset
through the lines. He
sees all things in life now
through the slant of bars.
The sunset, a bird, anything
that happens to pass by,
making its way
further down the line.
The wail of the train
as it chugs slowly through
the night reminds me of
freedom. Most could ride
if they wanted to. He could not.
I could not.
We are unable to do
what many take for granted.
They could walk out the
door to watch a kitten
playing in the sand,
They could go to the lake
to swim in the cool water,
catch a plane to some exotic location.
I am unable to do these
things just as my son is unable to.
Maybe not for the same reasons
as my son, but still unable
to do them.
There are no bars on my windows,
no razor wire running atop
my fence. My bars and wire
are in my mind. Stopping
me just as effectively as the
bars and wire of the prison
stop my son from being free.
My bars and wire are fear.
Fear of the insanity
running rampant through
the world today. Fear
of the anger felt by those
who have reached the end
of their patience.
Fear of danger.
Fear of society.
Fear of death.
Fear of life.