Families are stirring. Gathering clans.
Kindling relations, some travelling afar,
By airplane, through weather, or long trips in the car.
Parents look forward to seeing bright eyes
Awaken the morrow to Santa's surprise.
Opening gifts of red, green and gold,
Sharing traditions, young loved ones and old.
It's a troubling story; his life is not his.
He's a brother, an uncle, a long-suffering son,
Who sits in a mental-wing jail cell, alone.
A small barren room with steel toilet and sink,
His thoughts his companion; his fears on the brink.
Through thick plexi-window he can see others roam
In a room not allowed him, his status too low.
The "well-behaved" have freedom beyond three inch glass
Denied to this person as he watches them pass.
Deemed "better" than him, TV programs they view
An example of incentive rewards by review.
No...no simple pleasures, alas so it goes
For a criminalized man, through no fault of his own.
Misdiagnosed; forced "meds" make him worse,
for 29 years, is this lowly soul cursed?
Downward, the spiral continues to wind,
This "consumer," this "inmate" - trapped in his own mind.
Psychosis is feared and it still carries stigma,
The system is broken! (Yet the answer - no enigma.)
A "patient" he is, needing root-cause care,
But no specialized doctors...just jailers to spare.
Society punishes: out of sight, out of mind,
Justice By Tax, but justice is blind.
Road blocks and red tape, no mercy from "the man,"
Desperate to save him, the family wringing their hands.
Judges and lawyers rule the criminal court docket,
Hammer to slammer, and make sure to lock it.
One hour outside offered, but it's cold to the pain.Much older than his years, an American Fail,
So many more like him - indigent and frail.
But lo! We have records, yet no doctors take note.
A medical mimic, ignored by arrogance and gloat.
A condition requiring keen attention to diet,
Not daily lunchmeat as protein (and oo yay they fry it!)
Only once a week visits, but no siblings allowed,
Budget cuts to save money, more blows to his brow.
The low just got lower, admin canceled his Christmas
No visit from parents, the two hour drive useless.
Caged like an animal in the jail mental pods
So much for this pricey solution, Sir Moss.
Exacerbated torment, a "grey area" debate?
Punitive mindsets are black and white in this state.
Despair. Inhumane. It should not be like this.
He's done nothing to deserve the fate that he lives.
Why are the "mental" jailed, you may ask?
We need new hospitals! Santa, is there one in your bag?
The family's prayer is a constant on our knees,
"Lord, quiet his terrors; Angels hold him close, please."
The delusions are the criminal, but he suffers their snare,
We grieve how he's penalized and how no one cares.
We ask for help everywhere, and prayers are free.
It's been too damned long, Lord heal this disease!This person endures more than any man should,
Hindsight will prove we did NOT do all we could.
Jailers see "bad guys" - incarceration is their job.
Please open their eyes, and teach them, dear God.
One day in heaven, he will wear the king crown,
Proud of him I am, as the world keeps him down.
Sweet dreams, brother Jeff, we hold you so dear,
May you spend holidays with family next year.
Sorrow is heavy, clouding this Christmas moon,
But we KNOW in our hearts......OUR BLESSING IS YOU.
*******************************************************
Merry Christmas
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jackie Welton DiPillo
2 comments:
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This is too sad. I do not get it. What is wrong with the mental health and criminal justice systems? So many are suffering.
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