From Cell 249

Originally written: April 2019

I was battered, I was broken

I didn’t know the truth

Hair matted, life’s still motion

Always on the move

People staring, not caring

Just passing me by

Mocking and swearing

I got your left over change

Sometimes you roll down

Your window and wave

You say get a job, I’ll pray

Go to the mission for the day

You say I chose this life

Is that true? Maybe my life

Before this chose me

When I was still you

I had a family, a dog

Even a house with a garage

I had nice things

Anything money could buy

Even diamond rings

I got lost became a joke

Got hooked on dope

Ran the streets feeling dirty

Doing anything for money

I tried picking up my life

That didn’t work well

My addiction took over

It led me to jail

I was sick, I was scared

I was hopeless, I was weak

My crime was too much

I became struck in my mind

I knew I was facing a lot of time

Instead of giving up

I dropped to my knees

I no longer felt lost, I was at peace

In a place like the desert

I started walking with God

Lifting my head up

To heaven where it belongs

My main focus became you

I no longer lived in lies

I finally knew the truth

I was locked up

A prisoner you would say

No longer free, just locked away

But really, I was free

More free than I was

When I was on the streets

I just continued to trust God

In whatever he wanted for me

He heard my prayer

I was patient and he answered me

The word freedom is what he has given me

He made me a promise, he was faithful

And by his grace and mercy

I’m being released!