SCI Waymart recognized National Poetry Month in April by inviting all inmates to express their thoughts about DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) or COVID-19 in the form of an acrostic poem. Waymart is clearly home to many prison poets as more than 90 poems were submitted!
The Waymart education department sponsored this event. The poems provided valuable insight to the mindsets of inmates during these challenging times.
A Sampling of the DEI Acrostic Poems
UNDERSTAND by FP
Understand that we must make this right;
No more fighting among us, let's unite;
Differences we have we must set aside;
End hatred, put our hearts and minds in good places;
Race to Erase this hate among races;
Setting a better tomorrow for new generations;
Take responsibility for our actions and frustrations;
Accept the fact divided we'll fall as a nation
No standing on the fence neglecting evidence,
Do make a stance and together we'll make a difference.
EMBRACE by JG
Each of us
Might want to
Bring a little
Respect
And
Compassion to
Everyone, everywhere
EQUITY by DM
Everyone wants the same rights, you see,
Quite a pipe dream, if you ask me,
Until people start thinking of each other,
Inside we're all sister and brother,
To live in harmony is our need,
You can't succumb to hate and greed.
EQUALITY by RR
Equality's
Very
Existence
Relies on
You, me, and
Others
Never
Excluding anyone
RESPECT by MR
Realistic
Expectations
Surrounding
Personal and
Emotional
Contact
Towards each other
HOPE by RH LOVE by SD
Help Learning to accept
Other Others and
People Value their will being more than yourself is
Excel Essential to living a good life
BELIEVE by FR
Best to treat others
Equally and
Love your enemies
Integrity is important
Everyone is judged on their actions
Value others and life and maybe
Everyone and every day will be better
PEACE by RH
Positive
Energy
Activates
Constant
Elevation
A Sampling of the COVID-19 Acrostic Poems
MASK by EM SHOT by JR
Mandate so we can all be safe Shouldn't
America, the home of the brave Hesitate
Social distance, at least 6ft away On doing
Keep the fight going so we can live our normal days This to be safe
SHOT by CR
Stop
Hesitating
Over
This harmless pinch
MASK by LG MASK by CK
Must Must
Always wear Avoid
So you and others Sick
Know you're safe Killer virus
PANDEMIC by RC
People
Around the world
Never
Discuss how
Everyone
May one day feel
Invisible because of the
Crisis
STIMULUS by BP PANDEMIC by MP
Save your money for Positive
Tough times are Attitude
Imminent Next to
Make the most of it Determination can
Up one minute down the next Ease your
Limit yourself while you got it Mind
Utilize and save the rest In any
Spend senseless and you'll be the one without a nest. Circumstance
VACCINATIONS by DC
Vaccines
Allow
Civil
Comfort
In
Neighborhoods
And
The
Interest
Of
National
Safety
PROTECTION by BD VIRUS by CP
Preparing Vaccines are
Realizing what can be done Important for us to
Offering educational advice Rebuild the sense of normalcy that we
Taking other people's advice indeed Used to know and to
Embracing others who are confused Start working our way out of this pandemic
Create a way to make things better
Thinking of others in need
Illnesses can happen anytime so be prepared
Observe what works and continue the path
Never give up and always push forward
SOCIAL DISTANCE by AP
Sick
Of
COVID!
Information
All over
Legions
Dying
Isolation
Separation
Tears
Anguish
Numerous
Cases
Everywhere