Poem

Deserve To Be Free

by Tony Jackson

Stressed and depressed

In this wretched land called Prison

Is this God's plan or cards dealt from the devil's hand?

Remember, I told you I'm a changed man

After today you gonna say

I showed you a master plan

See, I was a bitter child when the streets caught my attention

Which ultimately landed me in the penitentiary,

And oh, let me mention

I haven't seen the streets since I was 16

While my classmates were at proms

I was doing time

While they were having fun,

I had to fight and grind

Couldn't let nobody mess over me

I'm small, but with the heart of a giant

Couldn't let 'em roll over me!

But all old deeds are behind me

I need my freedom, liberty, and true equality,

My independence and true autonomy

To the powers that be no more never mindin’ me,

From a bad boy to a great man is what I strive to be

Now you must respect the great intelligence inside of me

Demons can no longer overpower me

I can't kick them in the tail

Cause that will keep me locked in the pen,

So, I defeat wicked thoughts from my spiritual growth within

Now I'm humble and meek,

But it's hard coming from the streets,

Then convert to turning the other cheek

But being wise don't make a man weak

I live by the principles that I speak

Educated brothers trying to rise up out the pen,

No longer does society have to fear rehabilitated men

But they say to lock us up and throw away the key

I need all y'all to scream “FREE E!”

That's me!

The system gave me a cold shoulder

Without a chance to make amends and do it over

Why?

Why does America let their kids get messed over?

No one said I committed the crime,

but still my freedom is gone

I been down 25 years-YEARS!

And they still won't correct their wrong

So please, always remember this poem

Tell all kids about me every time they think about doing wrong

because man, I been gone long

I'm not requesting a second chance as a child

That's over! Just give me a first chance as a man

Let me show you

That I won't tear down

but build up our communities,

Teach the kids about unity

And how a life sentence killed my future and ruined me

Now witness the power of God brewing in me

If you want your loved one free

Shout and stomp your feet

But not in here

Do it in front of the Capitol. In the middle of the street

Because, rehabilitated prisoners deserve to be free!

© 2018 Tony Jackson

END

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