To My Brothers, the Prisoners

“To My Brothers, the Prisoners”

To my brothers, the prisoners,

If only you knew that you did not have to be a prisoner,

You would dare to be free as you were intended to be.

But to be free, you must be free intentionally.

Truth be told, my brothers, the prisoners, were imprisoned long before the system placed those stainless steel irons around their hands and feet.

For, prison begins in the spirituality and mentality of humanity before it is ever manifested physically.

Therefore, this message is for all, not just those incarcerated institutionally

I imagine that my brothers, the prisoners, have a precious treasure in their earthen vessels that should be shared with the world.

I have come to find that they themselves are the treasure, because they were made in the image of God.

You see, I am a teacher, and I was teaching this class called Academic Success to my brothers, the prisoners.

And it so happened that I was a poet and didn’t even know it.

You see, that rhymes! And I won’t charge you a dime, this time.

Anyway!

As we studied the greats like Maya and Langston;

As we discussed the human condition through the lens of poetry,

I was able to hear the treasure stored in the belly of my brothers, the prisoners,

Even the treasure of their voices.

Voices, asking for help.

Voices, sorrowful for the families they left.

Voices, hopeful about tomorrow.

Voices, speaking out against injustice.

Voices, far from home, desperate for the chance to right their wrongs.

Oh my dear brothers, the prisoners, I pray that someday you will be free.

You will be free to share your precious treasure for the world to see.

But remember, freedom is something that you must obtain intentionally.

More than that, Freedom is a person that you must know personally.

He’s not the type to drag you by your hands and feet.

You see, He appears only to those who diligently seek him.

It is His breath flowing through your lungs and your nostrils.

Brothers, Freedom is no more nearer than the Gospel, even the gospel of Jesus the Christ.

He is the Son of God.

He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

His crimson red blood has the power to wash our black souls and makes them white as snow.

This is his gift to the world,

Extended to every man, woman, boy, and girl.

His body and blood is the New Covenant given to those who believe,

The divine meal with supernatural power to heal the body, the spirit, and the soul of man,

Power to protect and deliver man from the bondage of sin and death.

Our souls live because of his breath.

With every ounce of breath that I have left,

I will tell all my brothers, the prisoners, and the world around us that Jesus is the freedom we need,

Because “He whom the Son sets free, is free indeed” (Jn. 8: 36).

Selah