They told me I didn’t belong
never would. It was just about
the only thing on which we agreed.
But, I know, “you pays your money”
and all of that, and my money
had been paid in full
so there I was and would remain
until I could make an escape.
Don’t get me wrong, despite
the Brooks Brothers uniforms
it was only a social prison
and I and my best Goodwill
wouldn’t be singled out,
I the master of my fate.
But when I was finally paroled
I knew I would never be a recidivist
despite their ongoing pleas
to contribute to our class fundraising.