Haikus on Child Imprisonment

Here are some Haikus on Child Imprisonment and Related Issues:

Saturday Night Regret

I miss you, my child.

Your heartbreaking fingernails

reach through the bars.

Taytay Jail, Manila, Philippines

1 meter by 5

—sit, sleep, stand, sit, sleep, stand, sit—

I am Dennis, 15.

Right and Wrong according to a 7-year-old

I have a right hand

but no wrong one. Except for

when I hold a pencil,

or hit Jimmy.

Life Imprisonment without Parole for Juveniles

All fleshy faces.

The judge glanced once, curious.

I will die enclosed.

Behind the Lines

I try to love you—

rattle on the concrete floor,

role model shattered.

*Haikus by Lauren Bleam

*Do you have a haiku on this issue or would you like to write one? If so, please leave a comment with it here or email it to me at lauren@oakseed.org. I will post the best ones next week!