Arbeit macht frei: - Fredrick Töben

myself. After all, it is only gentle passion that activates our reasoning
powers.
And so, as is my habit, I looked through my papers and wrote things down.
This is what Jim Earley has been doing throughout his long time inside,
writing poetry. Here is one that expresses what I also felt, that alternation
between anger and remorse:
It’s a bitter sad reflection
When one drinks from the cup of shame,
And one’s branded by a number
and forced to drop his name;
When you don these beastly garments
at the outcome of your crime.
It’s a bitter sad reflection,
When you know you’re doing time.
All night you are surrounded
By these four forbidden walls;
As you listen to the hours pass
When the key man does his calls.
Or maybe you are dreaming
of one you love so well,
When suddenly you are awakened
by the clanging of the bell.
You rise and fold your bedding
As you listen to its chime
Tis a bitter sad reflection
when you know you’re doing time.
You head off to feed up
your heart it feels like lead,
As you reach for a plate of harmony,
And a lousy slice of bread.
For the trials of life are hard ones,
A long and weary climb;
But, fuck, it’s harder
when you know you’re doing time.
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