With my uniform on I entered my dingy cell
I'd been given a number instead of a name.
The gray bars slammed shut on an old inmate and me,
as I sat down sadly on the tiny bed frame.
He stuck out his hand saying; 'I'm ‘two-one-three-five',
Friend, what brings you here to this cold and hardened place? '
'Hey Man, I'm ‘four-nine-four-two', I'm in for a while, '
as dread and sadness fell quickly over my face.
He said; 'Pal, don't you go gettin so down and blue,
for I've got a cure for your sad disposition.'
Then he jumped to his feet and shouted, 'two hundred! '
then laughter seemed to roar from every direction!
Up and down the corridors numbers were shouted,
as men did roar with laughter time and time again;
confused, but amused I asked; 'Friend, what's going on? '
He smiled at me and then laughingly he explained:
'You see friend, we've been in this hole so very long,
we've heard all the jokes over and over again;
we don't waste our time tell'em in detail any more,
so, like us, we give them a number for a name.'
'Man that's great! Do you mind if I give it a try? '
'You go right ahead! ' my cell mate gladly exclaimed.
I yelled 'two hundred and six! ' There was dead silence,
then I shouted 'fifteen, ' but just silence again.
I sat back on my bed, embarrassed, I had to ask;
'What's wrong, for it appears a joke teller I ain't? '
He laughed, then spoke these words which set my mind at ease;
'Friend that just proves, that some can tell'em and some can't.'
© Loyd C. Taylor, Sr.
..........very well written.....this poem can take you there....only I wonder if the star of the poem is truly guilty....sometimes I feel there are a lot of innocent people locked away...enjoyed...
A heartwarming story, Loyd. I cannot imagine being in prison but I suppose for the ones who are, they get through it whatever way they can. This is an amazing story that shows again your strong sensitivity to others. A '10! ' my friend. Warm Wishes, Marilyn
sad, tragi-comical. its an amazing poem. black humour to enliven the confinement, a feeling of brotherhood.-i see so many things here.10 Mamta
a good number for a poem game...i shout 10...i hear you laugh!
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Hmmm had me thinking of a time when I had a close brush with the law, but wow...this is interesting.