1.

“Those affected by mass incarceration.”
That could be you.
That chair you’re sitting on.
Where was it made?
Those streets you avoid.
Those people you’re afraid of.
Scared of.
Scared of what?
And why?

2. 

Stank
dank
4 men
1 toilet
no water

3. 

Through glass and phone
Broken left hand
“What happened?”
“Don’t wanna talk about it.”

4. 

State says this
County says that
Parole officer can’t
Probation officer won’t
The chasm widens
In you fall
The further you go
the less we see

5. 

Green light on yellow
Yellow is brown
brown is black
black is black
then fade to white

what do you know about that?
“La eMe” green light on Asianz

6. 

Freshly spray-painted “RIP Wino”
on my sidewalk
Homie grieving his dad
Must memorialize 

7. 

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge
let me never be put to shame.

In your righteousness, rescue me 
and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and
save me.

Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Deliver me, my God,
from the hand of the wicked
from the grasp of those who
are evil and cruel ...

We read Psalm 71
until the phone call
cuts off.

Rock, refuge, fortress.