Willimantic Off The Beaten Path

Confessions of an Inmate

I DIDN'T WANT TO OBEY THE LAW BECAUSE I HAD TO
I DIDN'T WANT TO PAY TAXES, RAISE MY RIGHT HAND, OBEY A BOSS, OR DRIVE UNDER SIXTY-FIVE BECAUSE I HAD TO
I DIDN'T WANT TO DO LAUNDRY, MAKE MY BED, DO THE DISHES OR PAY THE RENT BECAUSE I HAD TO
DIDN'T WANT TO BE HAPPY BECAUSE I HAD TO DIDN'T WANT TO SMILE, SAY SORRY, SIT UP STRAIGHT, OR SAY HI BECAUSE I HAD TO
DIDN'T WANT TO SAY I LOVE YOU, HOLD HER HAND, OR BUY A RING BECAUSE I HAD TO
DIDN'T WANT TO LIVE BECAUSE I HAD TO

SOMETIMES I'D GO TO CHURCH AND MIMIC THE PRIEST
SOMETIMES I'D PSYCHOANALYZE MY PSYCHIATRIST
ONE TIME I TRIED TO GET THE DECEASED TO FLINCH AT AN OPEN CASKET FUNERAL
SOMETIMES I'D RINSE MY MOUTH WITH MELTED BUTTER AND EAT POPCORN BEFORE MY DENTIST APPOINTMENTS
SOMETIMES I'D GO FISHING WITH A BEEBE AND CAST IT AT OTHER FISHERMEN
ONE TIME I STARTED A MOTORIZED SHOPPING CART WITH A TOOTHPICK AND WENT SHOPPING BECAUSE I WAS TOO DRUNK TO WALK
SOMETIMES I'D STEAL JUST FOR THE THRRILL
SOMETIMES I'D TELL MY GIRLFRIEND WE WERE GOINGI ON A DATE AND I'D ROB A LIQUOUR STORE
ONE TIME I WHIPED IT OUT AND PISSED WHILE ON THE FRONT SEAT OF A ROLLERCOASTER
I MADE MY OWN RULES
SOMETIMES I'D STEAL THE CHURCH OFFERING BOWL
SOMETIMES I'D WALK AROUND ALL DAY NAKED
ONE TIME I PICKED MY SCABS FOR A YEAR, SAVED THEM IN A JAR AND OFFERED THEM TO MY FRIENS AS BEEF JERKY
SOMETIMES I'D PICK MY NOSE AND FLICK SNOTS AT MY BOSS
SOMETIMES I'D KICK MY POOKLE IN RIBS
ONE TIME, AFTER SMOKING CRACK, I PLAYED DEAD AT THE EDGE OF MY FRIEND'S BED
SOMETIMES I'D STEAL CARS
SOMETIMES I'S SELL CRACK
ONE TIME I SHOT AND KILLED A MAN JUST TO GET HIM BACK
I DIDN'T REALLY LIKE THE THINBGS I DID
I JUST GOT SICK OF DOING WHAT I HAD TO DO
ANYWAYS, WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE
YOU'RE A LOT LIKE ME
YEAH, I'M THE ONE BEHIND BARS
BUT ARE YOU REALLY FREE

THIS IS A POEM WRITTEN FROM MY SOUL THAT WAS FORMED IN WILLIMANTIC