Aug. 21, 2019

Personal Journal

by Steve J. Burkett (author's profile)

Transcription

1bee
Personal Journal
Yesterday morning I wrote a song and a poem and watched the sun come up as I listened to country music down real low - I can dream of her being here by my side in my arms but sometimes the tears roll down my face and I can taste the salt- I've memorized yesterday - will tomorrow over come.

8/6/19
Tuesday
We're on some kind of modified program starting yesterday - until Sunday. In real terms, we're on lock down until dinner everyday so the guards can get more training - heres some training for them monkey see monkey do πŸ˜€. I had a doctors appointment so I was hanging out from 10:45 until 13:45 - just a rehash of what the rheumatologist + pulmonary doctor talked - setting up new appointments to see them and appointments for more tests. I finished all the details on my lover's portrait yesterday and today I will start on our old machine shop - like the one that used to be at 21th street. - I love old buildings.My brain seems to be on hold right now. As a kid I was like the bull in the china shop - I was always knocking over something or someone.

8/9/19 There was a time that lock-downs were just a part of my daily life - thats not so anymore- this short one week lock-down has me clinging the walls. Yesterday was one of the long days that seemed to last forever - I worked on everything, drawing, writing, reading, laundry, clean the cell from top to bottom - reveal some old letters - managed to throw out one letter and two cards πŸ˜€ I treasure every word. Of course I didn't get anything done πŸ˜€ I've become amuse to doing lock-down time - walking the track, hanging out in the dayroom, telling old stories to people who've heard them more than a few times

duat
Personal Journal
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before- no one cares as long as the conversation continues besides the jokes are even funnier than they were in the '60s + '70s as we all get the punch line - except maybe some youngster whom the joke is on πŸ˜€πŸ˜€ There are some dark clouds in the sky this morning, the dawn seems to be slow in coming another long day looked away and forgotten by all except maybe a few who can find me here on these pages. Peace out.

Monday
8/12/19
Rambling: I hate it when I see an old person and then realize we grew up together πŸ˜€ Happy Birthday to my love - know that I am there with you in your heart always. The weather has cooled down here over the last week - putting a blanket over you during the night kind of cool πŸ˜€ sweet - its suppose to start warming back up in the high 90Β°s today. As I've said here before the water here seems to always be turned to very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter - someone complained so they came in and turned the hot water down - off is more like it - so now the showers are cold and and so is the sink water. I don't care fro the water being skin burning hot but I've learned to dance around in it - with my arthritis the cold water causes my joints to hurt - maybe I'll turn my own complaint in, I dont want it boiling hot but I dont want it freezing cold either πŸ˜€ I have told you that complaining is one of our favorite pastimes in prison. For anyone who is interested, my brother Alleis boy, little Al, is here. The little lock-down ended Saturday - a good thing to I was going stare crazy (is it stare or stir?), I did get something done yesterday - finished sketching out the building at the end of M.L. King Jr. Ave in Memphis. Now today I hope to do the writing on the building and

pgbj
Personal Journal
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the street signs. Maybe start painting on it before the end of the week. I really slow down doing anything the last couple of years. I kept saying I'm going to give myself a push πŸ˜€ At least I'm doing something if it is only getting the paints out πŸ˜€

8-15-19
It is said that the majority of the baggage that weighs us down we packed ourselves. I know this to be true of myself. Once in prison I began to understand the wisdom of traveling light. I remember a time that all my worldly goods would fit in a shoe box πŸ˜€ I couldnt get all the old letters I wrote keep on into a shoe box not even the big boot box I keep my paints in of which I have over a hundred bottles πŸ˜€ I can only take 25 bottles when I'm moved out of here. I will start lightening my load soon - discarding some old letters + papers, patterns wore out clothes, books - I have over 100 books, I've never seen a book of poetry or art I didn't want to keep πŸ˜€ we're only allow to take 3 books on someplaces we can take our 2 bins and a box - maybe its four boxes - I better check - I hate to get rid of anymore of my treasures then I have to πŸ˜€ My oxygen level was up to 95% when that checked it yesterday - a lot better than 92% but I just has a breathing treatment and in 200 MGA inhaler sprayed in my mouth πŸ˜€ I'm going to stop rambling for now and get this out in this weeks mail - maybe I'll hear something from someone soon. I worry that i may have overslept and forgotten something and everyone left without me. If anyone has time leave me a message and let me know the world is still turning in circles.
Peace Out.

dipd
Love Note
My Dearest Love:
When I sit down to write I forget everything, every funny little quip I've saved for you. I draw a blank - forget everything I did yesterday, everything I plan to do today. When I stare down at the blank paper I see a reflection of your face smiling up at me. I get lost in the backwaters of my mind, on the streets that carry our memories. It is at this time that I start writing down all the gibberish I use to encircle all the I love yous I want to say to you. I could tell you how perfect, how beautiful you are but all you have to do is look in the mirror to know that I could tell you how witty, intelligent, amusing, geniusly clever you are but how many times can a woman hear that πŸ˜€ β™‘. I could say that you are my better half but everyone has told you already you are my better half. So the only thing I can say, the only thing I can think of to say, the only I want to say, the only thing I need to say is I love you. have loved you for a very long time and will continue loving you till the end of time and beyond. I love you πŸ’—
I'll Love You Always
Forever + Ever
Your Steve

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