Tears For J.D.

"Goodbye soldier", I said at dusk.....a quiet and somber farewell.

No fear, no guilt, nor even shame - just blame.
An unwilling participant in a tiresome game.

I shake my head and clear my throat, I guess Ii understand. Death may be for some, a welcome alternative to this life on death row, but suicide?

J.D. came in my time of need - opened his heart, a friend indeed. This cut that bleeds down to the core, no scab, no scar, on this open sore. I'm lost.

He died a bit more each day inside, behind the mask his face would hide. A quiet lonely soul.

We walked the yard rain or shine, he was like a brother of mine. J.D.'s demons were those which Ii would never wish upon anyone. The emotional roller coaster of cautiously optimistic uncertainty. Snap - he was gone.

This concrete ghost town does crazy things to good people. There's never any real closure, is there?

I fail to believe that anyone even saw it coming. J.D. cared about other people's welfare, he'd literally give you the shirt from his back. I've seen him do it. James Tulk was a good, kind man.

A silent mechanism that churned in his mind, lost in pensive thought, no way to know what he was thinking- to me, J.D. was a special friend, a man with a handful of dreams and plans to change the world. He did so on December 1st, 2006. Soar with eagles my brother.

"Goodbye soldier"....you will forever be missed.

See you on the other side.

Michael Flinner
CDC V-30064
San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin, CA 94974
USA

© Michael Flinner, December 1, 2006