Bob Ward
Down the Seg
Come inside if you must
accept the supposed risk.
Not much to see, is there?
Blank walls, cardboard furniture
– the barest of necessities.
I’m banged up here for my own
good riddance, you might say,
since I fell down a crack in the law
that’s becoming a cesspit.
Then a guy in my last place,
having a grudge against me,
put out faked-up rumours
that roused hyenas on the wing
– they’d catch you in the shower.
Though the system’s eased me on,
those rumours followed me,
the pack still on my trail,
so, I’m cornered in the Seg.
The Warder’s got me a 15 minute
watch but I’ll not be talking
suicide – at least, not yet . . .
Just do me a favour:
when you’re clear back outside
breathe in some fresh air for me.
Note: In prison lingo ‘Seg’ refers to the Segregation Unit, where disruptive inmates are placed to cool their heels and th0se at risk go for their own protection.