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www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • October 21, 2009
Arts&Culture
Flying over the fence
Poetry Project
links listeners to
Michigan prisoners
By JESSI DE LA CRUZ
The microphones and speakers were
turned on, but it wasn’t karaoke night
at Grand Café Sir Pizza in Lansing’s Old
Town. The typically boisterous atmosphere
at the riverside restaurant quieted as local
community leaders took the microphone
Wednesday, Oct. 14, and read poetry by
men and women incarcerated in Michigan
prisons.
The mood was somber but hopeful at the
third annual Prison Poetry Project fund-
raiser, put on by the NorthWest Initiative
to raise awareness and money for its pris-
on re-entry project, Advocacy, Re-entry,
Resources and Outreach (ARRO).
The project helps recently released pris-
oners make the transition back into soci-
ety, offering services from free bus passes
to job search assistance to cell phones and
medical insurance.
Although the poets highlighted at the
fundraiser couldn’t be present, their verses
were delivered by local community lead-
ers such as New Citizens Press owner Rina
Risper and community organizer Chris
Singer.
The overall mood was festive, but the
underlying messages were often sober-
ing. The themes of wanting to be heard,
remorse for past action, and loss of friends
and family were woven throughout the
night’s readings.
Marcus McKissic, executive director of
the Stockbridge Downtown Development
Authority, agreed to participate as a read-
er after visiting a prison facility with an
ARRO employee.
“It’s a privilege to give voice to the voice-
less, regardless of why they may be there.”
said McKissic, who also read for the fund-
raiser last year. “People need to hear what
it is like on the other side.”
Lansing poet Dianne Hicks-Flourry,
author of “The Power of Love: From the
Well of Life,” said she agreed to reading at
the event because she was felt a kinship
with the poets.
“It’s nice to hear their thoughts,” said
Hicks-Flourry. “I feel connected.”
Some speakers read softly; others
emphasized loaded words such as “free-
dom” and “innocence.” The audience
responded in kind, sometimes with a soft
art • books • film • music • theater
echo of support, others with tears.
Listening intently was Debra Butler,
who brought a variety of her colorful draw-
ings and other artwork to the fundraiser to
complement the spoken word. Butler con-
nected with ARRO after being released
from prison last spring. During three years
of incarceration, she re-ignited her child-
hood passion for drawing and painting.
She received support and encouragement
from people in prison who saw her talent
and fostered it.
“Art gives people a better outlook on life,”
said Butler, of Burton, a suburb of Flint. “If
I don’t do this now, I’m never going to. It
made me realize my own value.”
Her experience fleshed out ARRO’s phi-
losophy that human beings are a precious
resource that should not be “thrown away”
even if they have broken the law.
Jessi de la Cruz/City Pulse
Even those who happened to be dining
Carl Williams, an official with the Michigan Department of Corrections, reads at the event.
during the reading looked up from their
pizza and laptops to listen. Soon all that For Ke’aira Freedom Through a Window
could be heard was the phone ringing for By Anthony Clay By Efren Paredes Jr.
pizza delivery and the swish of the door.
How do I begin to apologize for leaving you behind, Lying in the top bunk of a steel bunk bed,
Many of the readers praised the unseen
When I’ve never really been a functional part of Each morning I open my eyes.
authors’ courage and openness. I look at the tan brick walls,
Your life
Michigan maintained a prison popula- When I’ve lived less than 4 blocks away The white ceiling.
tion of more than 50,000 in 2008, a slight And never found the time; The yellow covering which hides
decrease from the year before. Or when your mother demanded money, The two long florescent lights.
“There are not a lot of programs that And I wouldn’t give her a dime, Two metal desks,
assist with basic needs,” said Peggy Vaughn- How do I begin to apologize Two gray wall lockers.
Payne, NorthWest Initiative’s executive For all that you’ve been through, Two steel chairs with blue Formica seats.
In and out of foster care A large beige bulletin board faces me across the rooms.
director. Vaughn said it’s a pleasure to
Fearing more abuse, I still Next to it a polished steel mirror.
pass the creative work of ex-offenders to A closed door with a small window
an appreciative audience. Fault myself for all of the years
I’ve failed to protect you. Faces the inner part of the housing unit.
In addition to its basic assistance, ARRO Two glass encased rooms outside my door window.
And I know because we haven’t spoken
offers a range of services in areas such as It may seem as if daddy doesn’t love you. Officers sitting at the desk on the base floor.
housing, employment, medical coverage, I think of you daily
A clock appears above the desk.
mentoring and transportation. The group Behind them two telephones on the wall.
And through Grandma’s photos
offers workshops, help for people who are Next to the phones a Pepsi pop machine.
I’ve watched you grow.
A pool table, and ping pong table
filling various applications, a computer It’s still hard for me to believe
Entertain the prisoners using them.
room, and an ex-offenders’ support group. You’ll be 17 soon, and finding a path of your own.
I look at the large window in the back of my room,
ARRO also accepts personal needs I want you to know that I’m sorry
Facing the western sky.
donations such as hygiene products. Even though it won’t ease the pain,
I pull back the tan curtain
Vaughn-Payne encourages anyone who It can’t dry up the tears you’ve cried,
To expose the prison yard.
And it doesn’t remove the shame.
has recently been released from prison, or I hear the birds chirping
If I could rewind time back to
family members of those recently released, October 10, 1992
See the leaves on trees
to call (517) 999-2895. Blowing in the gentle wind
Knowing what I know now The blades of grass glisten
My life would have included you. With the cool morning dew.
How could I ever apologize Chain-linked fences surround the yard,
When you’ve been told I’m no longer your dad Decorated with their razor wire.
When I know you heard nothing good about me Two basketball courts,
Pertaining to my past A weight lifting area.
You may be afraid to contact me A security vehicle speeds past,
Well I’d be just as uneasy to face you, Once, twice,
But if I were ever given a second chance Several times.
I swear, I’d never betray you. The bright sun shines radiantly
And, I’d try to be the closest friend In the deep blue sky.
You’ve ever had… The white clouds move effortlessly
Jessi de la Cruz/City Pulse I guess I should go for now. Across the horizon.
Lansing poet Dianne Hicks-Floury reads at the Love Always & Forever, Dad This is freedom through a window.
Prison Poetry event Wednesday.