Female Prisoners -- Boggo Road 1972

A woman as prisoner.

Watched from the shower block, which I clean

mad as magpies they squat about the yard

knees splayed (no man to close them for)

and innocent, chortling over marbles

snatched up with screeching ribaldry.

 

Yet soon, herded by shadows they'll sit

in the corner like maids, slump lap-handed

and ruined, that, by rape or ripping birth,

unpaints such faces, accepting, bonded

in that female way

to wait for tea and kindness

 

Up here, footsteps on the walk!

the Giant stirs, and I,  no Jack, descend

but yet, am seen! Waving

she shows me her breasts and laughs.

 

I lie awake, recapturing.

 

Reviews

[Ron]

Goliath of a poem. Gripping and shows horror without any reference to blood & guts. Better still the inmates fighting back flashing themselves in defiance. An age old way of those at the bottom demonstrating their rage. Pass this work around folks! Give the readers a real treat!