THE VISIT 

by Anonymous

metal detector
hand stamped, check points passed, herd us
to a concrete room
blue-green plastic chairs
In khaki and slippers, you enter
A small smile, a hug
I ask what moms ask
OK mom, is your reply
It is not enough.
your wife and your boy
without you, they are learning
to hold onto you.
felon, words matter
do not let them define you.
husband, father, son
will I visit again?
three hundred miles, only six hours
again, and again