Solitary Confinment Poem by Ryan Brodesser

The door said solitary confinement

As they pushed me through

Punished for something, that I felt I had to do

For my scars and bruises and mental abuses

Yet when I was done with beating on him

His chances were very very slim

So I heard the doctors and medics say

As I was taken away


As I was forced away from the bloodied scene

I could think of the horrid, violent, but well fulfilled dream

I had done the deed, and was now paying the price

But the guard had paid for every scar, every taunt, and every shirt covered with lice

My arms ached, and ached more as they straitjacketed my arms and escorted me down the hall

Yet I had heard the urges, felt the anger, and was satisfied that I had answered the call

I said nothing and watched, as with grim resignation

As they headed me toward halls marked solitary confinement


Now, as they slam shut the door to this grave

Tis almost impossible to be brave

Here alone in this coffin of stone

I wonder for my mental health

As they say, every man is an island upon himself

The doors slam shut only an echo of lock

I am alone, the only sound is the ticking of my mental clock

I am alone, on my own


I do not repent!

I only resent!

The unfair trials

And the crooked files oh

The ones who say who I am not! The lies I hear!

I am trapped, not going anywhere in this backward gear

They hear not my screams and my cries

As the honest soul inside me slowly dies.