On the Books
Every other week she dropped $60
in his commissary account — it’s called
putting money on the books — so he could stock
up on incidentals. When you are behind
bars what is a prized
possession? Surely toothpaste, socks
& deodorant are more important
than Twinkies or rippled
chips. She learned otherwise. A nestegg
of brownies, a few snack
cakes, made him prince
of his pod if only
for a few minutes. He could trade
something sweet or crunchy for a more
prized item like flip
flops or Ramen with which
he could make Chi, a jail
soup of warm
water, jerky, noodles
& Cheetos. Money
on the books gave him authority,
power, rank. He always had more writing
paper than he needed, salt,
pepper & one extra undershirt.
11 thoughts on "On the Books"
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The specifics here make the poem rich with imagery, and then there is this anchor line: “She learned otherwise”
Kevin
the form really gives this legs to stand on
nice work.
An engaging story, Linda. And the items mentioned in the last lines top it off perfectly.
I love how you tell this story. The specificity is so good
. . .a nest egg of brownies. . . perfect capture of a much longer story hidden waiting for our imaginations.
what’s on the books
gets you
what’s off the books
I really like your use of brand names in this. They are quite vivid against the bigger question at which the poem aims, especially that insider brand of “Chi.” For example, we learn that the “prince/of his pod” is stripped to some human need of the “prized/possession” of “authority,/power, rank.” This was a good poem to chew on, Linda!
especially love the tone of the last stanza
What an interesting view!
Your words at the end of each line are so strong as well as the line breaks. Very well crafted and an interesting story as well!
there is so much tenderness, practicality, consideration, love wrapped up in this poem – the sacrificing of your ideas of what is needed or necessary, for what is true currency.
so poignant.