Nightmare for officers

Uncategorized 1 Minute

Communication was difficult

due to lack of facilities in a prison.

Prisoners were sometimes refused

pen, paper or envelopes.

Some of the duty officers could be punitive

or unwilling to act.

In  the education centre, tutors often worked around that:

pulled out pages, force- scribbled pens,

sharpened  pencils.

Student prisoners sometimes came back with

a poem,

other times with a letter for which they needed

an envelope.

They said they could buy stamps but the shop had

no envelopes.

Last night my dream became

a prison administrator’s nightmare.

Education received

a gross of envelopes.

Every prisoner who wanted could send letters!

Published by Yayi-Australie

I am a French-born Australian linguist who loves writing about multicultural experiences. Taught English in Zambia and Papua New Guinea, gained a Doctorate with UPNG. In Western Australia I worked with migrants and Indigenous communities in Kalgoorlie and Roebourne. In charge of Amnesty International WA, then moved to Adelaide. Short-listed by The Human Rights Commission for the Literature NF Award for the anthology I edited with the Multicultural Writers Association of Australia, I later published my memoir. Volunteered with the Writers Centre, became active with PEN.

Published