Damn These Walls
to all shutins
The Shutin
“I want to see outside…the sunsets, the trees; I want to see flowers, I want to see the birds flying by, nesting in the trees; I want to see the people, the children playing…
“Hell, I even want to see the snow fly, the wind blow down a tree.
“I want to see Life.
“I want to live…
“I am so sick of these four walls, these corridors, even these people.
“I crave variety. My mind is shutting down from boredom.
“It is shouting out for freedom:
“FREEdom! FreeDOM! … … …
“And no one answers my plea.
There is no one new to see.
Oh these people, they do their best,
And I bless them for that.
But for where I am at
It’s not enough.”
The Voice
May you find a window, find a door,
Find a friend to walk the floor
With you up and down the halls.
Check the walls for pictures, paintings,
Scrawls, leave your mark, leave a sign,
Let the world know you were here.
May you get to go outside, pick a flower,
Hear a song, leave a seed for a little bird.
You deserve the break, a mental steak,
For all that you endure shut in
All day, all night, left to depend upon
Those who serve. May you find peace,
Perhaps, in music, play a disc,
Sing a song–if only in your head.
At least you’ll know that you’re not dead.
And if you’re home and if you’re stuck
And if you feel you’re out of luck,
Create a scene and act it out:
Do a Dagwood with the mop,
Sing and dance and sweep the floor,
Pretend the neighbour asks for more,
Hoot and holler, rail and shout,
At least you’ll scare the boredom out.
“Damn these walls,” you cry,
“Damn these walls, hope to die!”
Yet as you suffer every day,
Here’s what I have to say:
I admire your fortitude, my friend,
I praise your patience to the end.
I congratulate you on survival,
Painful though that be,
For you are stronger far than I
Who have the freedom here to walk,
And if your tongue cannot, your body talk
Explains it all, and I’ll be here for you,
You are my star, my guiding light,
And though you are the one shut in,
It’s you who makes my living bright.
“Damn these walls they don’t forgive
They never change and they never give,
They only hold me in and leer at me.
There’s a world out there I cannot see–
Oh wall! Damn you all you crazy walls!”
And the wall said, “Hold on there just a min,
There’s a good reason I keep you in,
I’m here to protect you, come rain, come shine;
I am your shelter, you are not mine,
It is not I who keeps you in,
Do not rail against one who is a friend,
Take it easy instead and try to mend.”
— —
Picture Credits:
Top picture: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Imprisoned-97374738
Bottom picture: http://www.deviantart.com/art/Week-28-All-this-Waiting-319880806
