Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
That Bird Has My Wings: An Acrostic Pantoum About Death Row Prisoner Jarvis Jay Masters
That Bird Has My Wings
By Carolyne Wright
Just look at that gull soaring over the yard,
All its feathers bright in the unfettered sun. It
Reminds me this prison’s not my home. My thoughts
Veer aloft with that bird’s wings. My wings.
Its feathers are bright in the unshackled sun. Its
Solitary flight shows me my destiny—
Just soar me aloft with that bird’s wings. My wings.
All season they lift me in breeze over the bay, and say
“Your solitary flight shows that your destiny
Marks the edge of many human circles.” Wings,
Always lift me in breeze over the bay, to say
“Stay your hand, that bird has my wings.”
They mark the edge of many human circles
Entering this prison, not my home, where my heart
Reminds me: Hand, stay — that bird has my wings.
So lift up your eyes to him, soaring over the yard.
By Carolyne Wright
Just look at that gull soaring over the yard,
All its feathers bright in the unfettered sun. It
Reminds me this prison’s not my home. My thoughts
Veer aloft with that bird’s wings. My wings.
Its feathers are bright in the unshackled sun. Its
Solitary flight shows me my destiny—
Just soar me aloft with that bird’s wings. My wings.
All season they lift me in breeze over the bay, and say
“Your solitary flight shows that your destiny
Marks the edge of many human circles.” Wings,
Always lift me in breeze over the bay, to say
“Stay your hand, that bird has my wings.”
They mark the edge of many human circles
Entering this prison, not my home, where my heart
Reminds me: Hand, stay — that bird has my wings.
So lift up your eyes to him, soaring over the yard.
Author’s Note: Jarvis Jay Masters (born 1962) is an African-American on death row in San Quentin. He arrived there in 1981, convicted of armed robbery, and was moved to death row after being convicted of taking part in the murder of a prison guard. In prison he has become a Buddhist and has written a book, “That Bird Has My Wings: Autobiography of an Innocent Man on Death Row.” The title comes from an incident that took place in the prison yard while Masters was thinking about life outside. Another inmate began to throw something at a sea gull, and Masters, without thinking, put out his hand to stop him. The other inmate angrily demanded to know why, and Masters replied, “I did that because that bird has my wings.” The other man was so startled by this unexpected reply that he did not retaliate. Other prisoners, who had gathered around hoping to see a fight, began to laugh, and tension was broken.
Audio & more:
http://www.truthdig.com/arts_culture/item/that_bird_has_my_wings_acrostic_pantoum_death_row_prisoner_jarvis_20150204
