To the editor:
I cried myself to sleep the other night reading my Bible while I was incarcerated at the Brown County jail, longing for the world to see me for who I truly am, not for who they’ve convinced themselves I will always be.
About 2:30 a.m., the Bible fell off my bunk. Startled, I awoke, stood straight up, walked over to the desk in my cell and wrote the poem I’ve enclosed.
The Lord has laid it upon my heart to send this to you for someone who reads your paper. Maybe more need to hear what I wrote so they know they are not alone and to keep moving forward.
Please pass this on; you never know, it might save a life.
Reason is purpose; purpose is reason
I am an addict bound by my sins
But I still have a heart, I’m still clothed in skin
I may have shackles around my arms and my feet
But I still feel pain, the same air as yours I still breathe
I may be considered destruction and disgrace
But I am merely a lost soul holding on with blind faith
I may be homeless and in life not a friend
But I still have a purpose and a message to send
I still have a soul, mine continuously bleeds
For I am all alone in this world and for me it has no need
I still have reason with this message that I write
If your heart is still beating it’s your God-given right
Even if the world has labeled you shame
You still have a purpose and it came with your name
You still have reason beyond reasonable doubt
For we are the reason Jesus hung for us proud.
Danielle Goodwin, Brown County
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