wiry little boy with glasses
grew to be prison chaplain,
found his niche ministering
[ to guys inside the walls ]
make one bad decision
or follow foolish friends
and train ride ends with
[ time inside the walls ]
they have watched men die
but won’t cry, except to see
another sinner get baptized;
[ set free inside the walls ]
we’ve been taken through;
frisked before entering gate,
blessed to worship too with
[ church inside the walls ]
Melissa hosts poetics at the pub with Johnny Cash singing his Folsom Prison Blues…
a poem in my pocket 
Jan 13, 2026 @ 20:32:28
Nice one Lynn, the repeat line worked so well
Thanks for dropping by my blog
🎇much love
Jan 13, 2026 @ 19:49:34
I love your poem, Lynn. It takes a special kind or person to minister to those incarcerated inside prison walls. Your repetition at the end of each verse works well. Many do find God behind prison walls and go on to lived changed lives!
Jan 13, 2026 @ 20:06:37
Yes, the Spirit’s work is mysterious and life-changing!
Jan 13, 2026 @ 18:17:39
I love the clever form of your poem and the message carried within – Jae
Jan 13, 2026 @ 20:04:27
thanks, Jae!
Jan 13, 2026 @ 17:48:55
One of my brothers got baptized just after his parole-release from his 1st conviction but apparently it didn’t take; didn’t keep him from intentional homicide only months thereafter. Maybe, ummm….. Nah.
Jan 13, 2026 @ 20:03:50
i’m sorry to hear it, Ron…not all are real conversions, sadly.