Calling all poets! Corrections1’s poetry column highlights inspirational, moving and funny poems authored by our readers.
This poem is by Kenn Phillips, who has worked as a correctional officer for the state of North Carolina for over 19 years. He is a Navy veteran, published author and founder of 22 Ravens Publishing. His children’s book, “The Carolina Moose” was recently released on Amazon.
Email your original writing submission for consideration to editor@corrections1.com.
6:00
The beautiful bleep as I slide the plastic rectangle through the magnetic reader
The feel of pavement under my feet after twelve hours of concrete and steel
The smell of exhaust as car engines are started and head down the road
The sound of velcro ripping and plastic clicking as I take off my vest and duty belt
The feel of cool air hitting my damp shirt
The sight of green and red lights decorating my way home, making it Christmas all the time
The sound of my car door shutting after I pull into my driveway
The sound of laughter as I open my front door
The smell of food being put on a plate for me
Smiles I would die to save
Smiles I can’t wait to get back home to every time they leave my sight
I have to enjoy these things while I can
A different 6:00 is waiting for me and comes far too quickly
With it are a set of sights, sounds and smells that are not quite so pleasant
| READ MORE POETRY BY KENN PHILLIPS: Poem: One Foot In Front of the Other