This is an introduction - and an awakening, if you allow it to have its effect on you. I'm a man first, a father second. Though I'm many other things, I'm stigmatized as an inmate. Hello! Who are you? What's your label? I find myself in a struggle trying to communicate from behind this wall. The phone has become my enemy. My typewriter has become my best friend. I've fallen out of love with society. My quest of trying to become one with the many outside this wall, drives me down a road of solitude. A man of my caliber has pride and dignity that's worth being faithful to. The pride and dignity I've found in myself has led me to be proud of the person I am, and of the mind I've become. My loneliness has totally smothered me. I lost hope that someone would freely toss the normal requirements of communication and allow themselves to valiantly attempt to cross the bridge of communication. My cup of coffee became a reality. Most people deal with the physical (as in touch and in feel), while I've become the type of person who would rather become friends by mental foreplay. The thought of measuring the value of a person by physical attributes made me hit a cement wall. That's when it hit me and the concept became a revelation. The wall which separates me from society is made by the hands of men. There's nothing mental about it, but the thoughts of its creators. Can you please answer my question, how can walls stop my existence of living in communication? I'm paying a punishment for a crime that is six years old. During the time of my punishment, I've polished myself mentally to build a discipline so that I can maintain myself in an economic system that flirts with the temptation of owning a brand new BMW priced for $200,000. This is what leads to so many men being in prison. We call it "catch up," because when you're in prison, you're always trying to "catch up" with the activities and status of the streets. Prisoners find themselves behind bars, lost in the numerical account of the system. My experience has been one of perseverance. Many break mentally under these conditions. The walls that hold them are the abortionist of prophets and the thieves of humanity. These words are a scream, a scream that wants to be loud enough to be heard. I DO EXIST BEHIND THIS WALL! Do you ever hear my scream? Will you finally answer me? My request for communication may be too much to ask from a stranger. Realizing that the reader will probably understand the words I write and may answer a scream coming from a peaceful person, I thank you for your time. Rebecca's Bargain Antiques Collectible Vintage Photos Fine Prints - Old Maps Sheet Music - Old Books Elegant Antiques and Collectibles "If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door" Anonymous You are welcome to use or republish any of our material. Please give www.prisoners.com credit as the source. Return to the Works By Prisoner Authors Menu Return to the Penpals Wanted Menu Return to the Main Menu Go to our site's Search Engine Send us Your Comments or Input.