seven steps to the wall and turn around

seven steps to the window --- turn around

three steps to the table --- step around

move the chair 'til it is square

and then sit down

DON'T TURN AROUND



there

is a man

in a room

empty place

there's a wall

a table

and a chair

...his face



he wants to write something down

he wants to sing a song

or paint something

lie down and fade away

or get up and get away

to the beat of the marching feet

in the heat of the prison heat



there

there's the sun

through the bars

cutting swathes

lighting dust

i love dust

that it's there

that it falls



he wants to write something down...



there

there's this choir

sometimes hear

in my head

perfect note

that divides

all the rest

what i face



he wants to write something down...



seven steps to the wall...



there

is a man

in a room

empty place

there's a wall

a table

some paper

...his face



he wants to write something down...



there

all my life

where there's white

i have words

so i write

what i hear

...perfect white

...with no words



it is thin

but it's clear