Grounds Pass - part two

the cell doors open and let me out not quite as full of fear and doubt I've earned an hour of release from the tower Feel some better now Strength in my steps even though they're purposeless What path did I walk that brought me here? I look out and up to the sky It's a beautiful day I smell spring in the air Lush green leaves on the tree Liliacs in bloom Father John scurrys but stops for a moment from his worries And blesses me... then pumps my hand to the count of three A gentle soul is he I think of the Wizard of Oz As I follow the winding brick path that circles the tower of Phelps Hall How precious this hour of reprieve Freedom to breathe I find myself humming though still I cannot sing remembering the sweet relief a soulful song would bring Someday I hope to sing again I notice more now... Like the Gothic design of many of the buildings Steel bars on some of the windows I make my way to the far side of the grounds through dense shrubbery near the gazebo I hear footsteps behind me the jingle of a heavy key ring... the voice familiar as he calls my name It's the male attendant from the boy's ward the one who likes to play games. I quicken my pace as my eyes dart about there's no one in sight Gotta handle this right "Hey Suzie-Q talk to me when I speak to you" I have no choice but to turn around for I've reached the limit... the boundary of the grounds I look straight at him and make not a sound He offers to buy me things if I do him a favor and be his "special friend" I said no before now I say "NO" again. Thunder strikes fear rolls clock on the tower says it's quarter past the hour Try to run but can't feet full of lead eye swollen shut blood on my brow I'm in big trouble now gotta make it somehow back to the cell Written March 18th, 2002 © on Mar 18 2002 05:57 AM PST   0 • 1