On Getting Ready to Leave Prison

Sitting on the edge of my last week
and the edge of my first
feeling the lost sequences between
pulsing and forgotten and darkened
someone said

there’s a light at the end of the tunnel

a light that will lead me into the Promised Land
promise
and the light still sits there
beyond my reach

waiting
and still waiting
and there’s no rhyme or reason for it

I’m still waiting for their reply
it’s in the mail
they’ll meet next week
and take the appropriate action
at that time
and not to worry
they’ll contact me
don’t contact them
contact is strictly forbidden
in this place
and someone said

there’s a light at the end of the tunnel

and all will be forgiven
don’t give up
this is the edge of yesterday and tomorrow

and some bastard will say
this is the first day
of the rest of your life

I hope he chokes on it