Jay Mantri

Adrift 

A grip, finding each other in the dark;
A word, whispered mouth to ear;
Comforting tokens of reassurance and recognition;
Sitting side by side,
Each sharing in equality,
All sharing a commonality;
Unity, society;
Desolation, annihilation
Lost connection
Emptiness surrounded by darkness
Sundered liberty
No anchor, adrift in the void
Poor decisions, leaving self vastly annoyed
 

Patrick Velich

Lost Joy 

I’ve seen heaven and my life was forever changed
Staring into your eyes, no star can sparkle or twinkle like you do
Soft rounded cheeks,
Dimples accentuate your gleaming smile
My fingertips gliding over your jawline, my hand cupping your chin
Your eyes looking up into mine
Our hearts beating as one
Leaning closer to one another
Lips brushing then pressing
Conflicting voices incessantly whispering in our ears
Hearts yearning for one another
Realities quenching passions
Ring given, ring returned
Time passes, yet passion burns eternally
 

Max Muselman

The Machine

Never before have I felt such a cog.
Slowly chasing my own tail
Ever searching, never quite catching.
Gears pressing together
Harmonious lock step with each other
Gnashing and chewing all caught between the teeth
Spirit
Hope
Individuality
Passion
Each broken, each torn apart,
All crushed by this imposing machine
This reminder of inmate, surname only, incarcerated individual, ID number, bed number
Ground down
Repressed
Subdued
I draw breath.
The sun warms my flesh,
A breeze dances through my hair.
I still think. I feel. I know.
I am ALIVE!
My voice shall be heard!