Affliction of the Senses
by Anthony Wheeler
I see my mother’s tears
When we hug at the end of our visit
Pain inflicted on her by poor choices
A heavy consequence for breaking the law
I hear the wails of agony
When segregation souls clamor
Anxiety spikes in isolation
A mass breakdown in a cloistered cage
I smell a pungent odor
When staff use pepper spray to de-escalate
Sinus assault to disable the population
A warning to quell disobedience
I taste the iron in my mouth
When recovering from an attack
Acute paranoia explodes into violence
A common symptom of mental illness
I touch the sweat on my skin
When summer air and humidity roast the concrete
Inhumane conditions designed by indifferent administrators
A form of torture for government chattel
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