lorton reformatory

the notorious

violent

prison on Lorton Road,

is still

there. the walls, the guard

towers,

the barbed wire

surround,

the mess hall,

and cells,

row after to row.

but the prisoners are gone

now.

most are dead,

or grown old, shipped

off

to new dark homes.

little old ladies

and old men

in loafers

bring their paints and canvas

there,

setting up

on easels.

they paint the clouds.

they paint

the cells.

there's a room where someone

spins

a wheel

and pottery appears.

the entrance is painted

with a rainbow.

on weekends there's show.

a picnic lunch.

it's almost as if no one

ever died,

or suffered there.