One Of Those Days
Ever wake up and realise you're late for work?
The boss is going to kill me, he's such a jerk!
I'm late by an hour, there's no time to shower,
I'd like to wipe that face of his silly smirk.
Talk about being forgetful, just look at this,
Coffee pot is unplugged, now I am getting hissed.
I dress then boot my feet, burn rubber down the street,
But I get that feeling there's something I've missed.
Would you look at that, traffic is moving just fine.
One day I'll be the boss, then I can sleep till nine.
It won't do any harm to check that clock's alarm,
Those twelve-hour work days leave no time to unwind.
Did I bring in the dog and put out the cat?
I tell you man, on days like this my brain is flat.
If I hit the lotto, I would leave this grotto
And fly away from here like a hell out of bat.
That old foreman of mine's as crooked as a snake,
And that grill of his looks like my old rusty rake.
Would you look at that, I forgot my new hard hat.
Guess what you fool? Today your head's gonna bake.
I see kids skipping school, hanging out in the park.
They will end up dumb like me, and working till dark.
Packed shopping centres now - on Friday morning? Wow,
Must be a grand opening? Maybe just a lark.
Headache, heartache, backache and running just on fumes.
So hungry I could eat dirt, or even legumes.
A pot roast sounds fine, a cheeseburger divine.
I forgot my lunchbox, I've nothing to consume.
Only one more block then I start to earn my pay.
Work, work, work, work I can hear that slave master say.
But wait, something's wrong, empty parking lot - wrong.
And that sign on the fence reads 'Closed on Saturdays'.
Who the heck stole Friday?
You ever have one of those days?
Carl Buntion, Texas
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“It‘s about my penpal she has changed my life from a mental hell, her letters have rolled back the clouds in my life and allowed the sunshine to burst thru. I am so impressed by this beautiful women that I am not ashamed or embarrassed to acknowledge her as my friend – Best Friend. I couldn’t love her more.”
Human Writes Patrons
"The very essence of the death penalty is to tell people that they are somehow sub-human, not fit to live. Yet even those people I have represented who did what they were accused of - a surprisingly limited number - have always been much better people than their worst fifteen minutes, as are we all. Those who recognise this by reaching out to the men and women on death row are true heroes, though I suspect they gain as much as they give to the relationship."
Clive Stafford Smith OBE, Founder of Reprieve and Patron, Human Writes
"As a journalist who has lived and worked in the United States, the horror of death row is one of the issues that never leaves you. The thread of humanity that Human Writes manages to sustain with men and women on death row is a profound contribution to keep alive the hope of life. Capital punishment is now on the retreat in America, but the numbers awaiting their fate are still very considerable. I am very honoured to have become a Patron of Human Writes and will hope to do my best to put my shoulder to the wheel".
Jon Snow Broadcaster and journalist, Patron, Human Writes
"I know what it is like to live in a cell for decades and feel that the whole world hates you. I never expected to be able to live again as a contributing member of a community. Prison life was precarious and unpredictable but I met people who worked there who wanted to help me and people like me - and I'm lucky that I live in a society graceful enough to offer me a second chance. At least I had hope. Hope for many of the people supported by Human Writes has all but been extinguished. Letters to people on Death Row let them know that however low they may have fallen, they are still human beings. They still have value and are worth caring about and letters might just help to keep hope alive. That is why I am honoured to have been invited to be a patron."
Erwin James 1957 - 2024, author and Guardian columnist, Patron, Human Writes
Prisoner Art and Writing
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Most Reverend and Rt Hon George L Carey, former Archbishop of Canterbury
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His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster