Squinting into the bright morning Sun
Out and away from the stink of incarceration
Much later today I’ll visit my mother
But first I have priorities
A woman, a beer and a pipe, in any order

Tall gaunt walls behind me with iron clanging
Home to my children is a long way
I’m going to walk

I wander down the street where stores are open early
Houses have window boxes, bright and in bloom
Stand by the open café door and smell fresh ground coffee
Today I missed the sunrise like hundreds before
Tomorrow it will return and I’ll be here
Outside.