Freedom

They had face-paint and popcorn and cotton candy
They even had their kids
But of all the things they had this day
What they did not have was freedom.

Perspective on the Poem:

This was inspired by a fall festival even at the prison where I intern as a Chaplain a few hours a week. The atmosphere was so beautiful. Watching the women with their kids, seeing the kids play with their parents and each other. It was amazing to see that so many families were still intact despite the lady's prison sentences. And then as I left the prison and walked out of the security gates, it struck me: At this moment these women probable have everything they truly want; except freedom.