(written in Ashland, Ky. federal youth prison in 1970)

A crisp, clear, cold day
in Federal Youth Prison,
and my thoughts
continually turn to you.

A blood test in the morning,
and my memories of ours,
taken together,
your faces, as jabbed,
repeatedly,
return.

A movie in the afternoon
and I think of you
though it’s interesting
and entertaining.

All through the day,
everywhere–
walking,
eating,
talking,
watching–
you are with me,
in my head and my heart.

Because you are my loving wife.