work release

they hired men
mostly
from the jump, the county
jail,
the state pen,
the lock up
in the city. they hired
them to sweep,
to mop,
to take out the garbage.
it was a job
to get them on their
feet again.
minimum wage.
grey uniforms, with names.
some made
it. some took a broom
handle and broke
it in half before stabbing
someone.
some robbed
the apartments, or stole
fruit from
the basement store.
they were old men, for
the most part. even the young
ones.
some became friends.
some died, taking their
own lives
with cocaine or drink.
some though, made it out.
got free,
and never looked back.