Prison Eulogies

The ones who died
never mattered much
except in here
where the stories never end
because they’re too real

Michelle
who beat her girl
until she got out
and got her own self
killed

Stella
who laughed & laughed
until that last hit
hit her vein

Whoda thought
a pulled tooth
would make Kim
bleed to death
or that Pat’s heart
was really that bad

They don’t make announcements here
but we always know
And every time,
I can’t kneel down
for months after
My mouth won’t move
the way it should

It’s not me
It’s never me
It’s always me