October 15, 2011  ¤  Listed in : Leroy Reed - Poetry

“You don’t need to help me. I can do it. You have more important things to do,” said an 80 year old neighbor when I tried to help pick up sticks in her yard. I heard the same message from a friend with emphysema as he tried to align rocks in a ditch running along the side of his yard. Offers to help are often met with resistance.

We see the same behavior in biblical characters. For example, at first Naomi resisted the offers of her two daughters-in-law to stay with her. “Why should these young women be burdened with caring for me?” She probably reasoned. They have their whole lives ahead of them. With regret, Orpah departed. However, when Ruth showed that she was determined to stay, Naomi relented.

As I get older, I recognize that I can not do as much as I did in youth, but

October 15, 2011  ¤  Listed in : Leroy Reed - Poetry

Is it really possible to predict the path one’s life will take? Or maybe we never actually had to live in margins. Still, most of us had some vision for the future regardless of the circumstances some married, others pursued careers, successful ones. Although we may have had our doubts, but certainly hope in our hearts. No one dreams of or aspires to bad choices. Those of us living behind fences and walls perhaps never imagined that imprisonment would become our unique reality. Yet at the end of the day, it is.

Could I have known that prison would become the destination of a journey set in motion. Yet, still this detour may have started the day when, as a child, fear grabbed hold of my heart and would not

October 15, 2011  ¤  Listed in : Leroy Reed - Poetry

I’m in a place that I don’t wanna be, I was shocked when the judge sentenced me.

I was sentenced to life in the Penitentiary,
I was rocked when the verdict came back “guilty”.

I could of went 6 feet under and listened to the roar & thunder.

I’m now in jail for life, everyday I have to be strong.

I have to endure this struggle for so long, listening to people who haven’t

October 15, 2011  ¤  Listed in : Leroy Reed - Poetry

Please don’t debate, by makin’ me wait. Please send me a bed date. I paid my dues & price for the crime so don’t prolong my time. Please give me a chance to see my Mom, I’m takin’ up space, when I know this place. I bring no harm, because freedom to me is like a lucky charm, I did everything right…

I just wanna see the light, please give me a time to walk through that gate, I’ll give you my word I won’t be late. It’s time I started a new life, to build a family & bond with a wife. I know I won’t be missed

October 15, 2011  ¤  Listed in : Leroy Reed - Poetry

Always trust your heart, don’t be afraid to reach out to “something new”, go ahead!

Get your hopes up! Even if things turn out
differently than you’ve imagined,

you will have tried,
you will have learned,
and you will have grown.

So, whatever your wanting in life…

go for it!

October 15, 2011  ¤  Listed in : Leroy Reed - Poetry

Come to me when you feel it’s time,
Many reasons I’m sure you’ll find.

Just close your eyes, relax your mind,
cause I will be here for you…

Never let you down…
Cry no tears…
Take away the fears…

Come to me I’m sure you’ll find,

October 15, 2011  ¤  Listed in : Leroy Reed - Poetry

I reach out for her, no one’s ever there,

I speak from my soul straight from the gut,

cause when you are locked down, you get treated
like a clown.

It’s funny how the world goes round,

that’s why I love poetry & pen, it never lies.