Ms. Sapphire's amorous declarations of devotion were the only inspiration needed to profess her passion and write the first poem, I Close My Eyes. She never imagined then, the poetry would someday amass into a quantity great enough to fill a book. Written solely to verbalize new emotions of love, each poem in this book was inspired by one young man confined behind tall concrete walls and razor wire of the penal system...

----------------------------------

BEYOND THE WALLS

Each day you face a dismal existence

Wondering what's beyond that prison wall So many youthful years you've wasted What made you err, you barely recall

Double locked doors quarantine your life In triple layered concrete cages Tall dual fences, loops of razor wire Stand sentinel over inmates of all ages

Incarceration has taken a deadly toll on you Never trusting, dreading each new dawn Privacy embezzled by constant vigilance Leaves you silent, fearful and withdrawn

The world is soon forgotten behind the walls As you obey endless, ever-changing rules Constantly watching your back, danger lurks Fearing brawls, protecting your family jewels

Being an inmate with untainted record Double locked doors will surely open for you Living on the outside can soon resume You've learned your lesson, freedom is overdue

Your true love awaits you beyond those walls When you're thrust from that dismal womb Born again to embark on a new journey You'll emerge from your dungeon of doom.

March 12, 2001