Sentiments from a Concrete Cage

By Ebony Delaney

~ Ekendriya Hearn Presents ~
This is the first compilation volume of my dear friend Ebony Delaney, who is incarcerated. Proceeds will go toward her cause. She is an incredible poetess and wonderful person, God bless anyone who makes this donation by buying her book. We love you all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 3, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365373251

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Sentiments from a Concrete Cage

Preface: In Spite of the Challenges

I am writing this entry in response to a question I was asked in a comment about my poem Authenticate. The individual who posted the comment asked Despite the challenges you face being locked up and transgender, what motivates or inspires you to get up every day and keep being strong enough to carry on?

Initially, after reading the comment, I thought that the answer would be complex. I was prepared to make some profound and earth-shattering statement, yet the more I cogitated on it, the more I became aware of its simplicity. The truth of the matter is, I’m motivated by the desire to be a good person.

That and the fact that I refuse to yield to the tsunami of negativity that accosts me on a daily basis. Anger, resentment and frustrations, chaos, and disrespect are considered by many behind these walls as the normal states of being. This mindset includes inmates and prison staff alike. There is a flourishing culture of manipulation, instigation and agitation. It is infectious and spreads rapidly. If you are not careful, you will find yourself being swept away by these tides. I view it as a disease that is highly contagious.

I wake every morning with the desire to be a better person than I was the day before. I strive for that for I know that embracing any other mindset is destructive and lacks any form of benefit. If I am able to say or do one thing that encourages, enlightens, brightens or assists someone in any way, even the smallest of ways, then I am paying a little of the debt I owe for having the blessing of being alive. In my own way, I want to exemplify human kindness.

Yes, there are times when faced with the seemingly insurmountable obstacles of cruelty, I get discouraged, yet I constantly remind myself of the scripture that says, Be not weary in welldoing for in due season, you shall reap if you faint not. (Galatians 6:9)

I also have a deepest desire to have my