The Very Thin Line Poem by A L KIRSCHBAUM

I worked at a prison near a city in the Southwest, just outside of its throng,

Some of the inmates took responsibilty for their actions, knowing that they had done wrong.

While others would swear that they had definitely been framed.... victims of someone else's smudget,

One thing that was in common was that everyone incarcerated there, was a guest of the state's growing budget.




Some were in there for nothing more than what I or my colleagues might have done,

While others were in because of treacherous acts, some being done with a gun.

Who is to say what someone might do when faced with a horrible
choice,

But others had options, now all that they can do is sadly surrender their voice.




Their public defenders would now do their bidding, because a high priced attorney they certainly lacked,

They were in and out of the courtroom because the court's docket was usually packed.

Who knows what they tell you, it's their word or not, they see things from their own recollections,

The only thing that the outcome now demands is that their life be guided by the state's department of corrections.




Some will come out with a brand new perspective, not wanting
to repeat their stent,

While others will be hardened never caring about others especially the ones that there actions have bent.

Their only regret is getting caught, and now appealing their sentence,

And getting out fast, the last thing that is on their mind is the concept of making repentance.




But as my colleague would say with his tenure as teacher, that some people are more alike than would at first appear,

Most guards were great, because it really does take a special person with no ill will toward his fellow peer.

But a few of these guards were not very far from the conscience that pervades the mind of their captive,

Because shanking their fellow CO's was what these snakes were most certainly apt of.