Routines and Ruptures, Work, and Reading and Writing Summary and Analysis

Routines and Ruptures

There was a lot to learn and do in prison, such as dreaming about being released early, fighting the system with lawsuits, and finding religion. The day was scheduled with the tally, work jobs, eating, and outside time.

"Spring" was a poem written by Michael Hogan where winter is melting and birds are returning for scraps of bread. The old convicts know how many laps they can do before going back inside. The guard daydreams of trout fishing. In 1975, this poem won first place in the PEN Prisoner Writing Contest. (337)

Chuck Culhane wrote the poem "Autumn Yard." The setting was outside where the sun is warming the author. They were able to observe what was happening beyond the prison, such as seeing the sailboats...