Jesusita

The day that we came to the camp in the foothills

I found I could finally breathe

The guards were unarmed, and the food that they served us

Was filling and warm in reprieve

We’d all tried to get there, but I was successful

Through dumb luck, and cunning, and pride

We fought Jesusita with chainsaws and axes

Just grateful to feel alive

I’d been doing time for breaking and entering

Unoccupied houses alone

I thought of my brother; he must have been worried

But I couldn’t stay in that home

When they caught up to me, I was an expert

At taking precautions, but still

Each time you wake up to an empty cupboard

And sunlight on the window sill

I took off my name like a piece of old clothing

Thinking the trail was gone

But they found me anyway; prison was taxing

I tried to stay quiet, but strong

While I did time for breaking and entering

Unoccupied houses alone

I thought of my brother; he must have been worried

But I couldn’t stay in that home

I met an old inmate that they called John Leonard

And he scared the hell out of me

I only found out what he’d done some years after

I managed to get myself free

But I recall just how he stared at the desert

Like something that failed to burn

He told me what I could do on good behavior

And all the work hours I’d earn

That’s how I ended up at Jesusita

Severing fire from fuel

We sweat through our fireproof uniforms quickly

Losing the grip on our tools

I think about John peering out at the desert

And whether or not he’s insane

I dream of when I’ll get back down to the ocean

Surfing alone in the rain