Friday, June 12, 2015

It all happened here (dedicated to Kalief Browder)

I was young, never thought life could get so complicated but it was
Bronx born, I was still compel to chase butterflies if the moment struck me.
But it all happen here

They accused me, said that I, 16 years old committed some robbery,
I did not commit no damn robbery!
But it all happened here

Down in central booking I was scared and confused but tried to hide it.
They put me in jail! My parents could not afford to get me out!
But if they could. No bail!
But it all happen here

In a cell with others that looked like me but one happen to see me
He said nigga who you looking at? Want some beef!
Scared, confused, I did not answer just looked away!
But it all happened here

Noticing my age they place me in a cell alone
No charges, no bail, but in jail at 16
But it all happen here

I began hearing whispers counting the hours teasing me
Hey do you know what day today is? (laughter)
It’s your birthday (laughter)
But it all happen here

Monsters came into my cell to inflict pain on me
Pull on me, beat me, I ain’t supposed to be here I yelled!
I ain’t supposed to be here!
But it all happened here

Dim lights darkness, no appetite, they say a pill will help
But I still here the voices, they’re going to hurt me!
Can’t go to the yard without fighting monsters in the daylight (Swing)
But it all happened here.

Needing to escape, I try to teleport myself through the walls because the voices say I can
The voices are getting louder, so I pop one pill, then another, see the doctor, and another pill
This all can’t be real, I am going to leave through teleportation. All I need is this bed and a sheet.
The voices are still there
But it all happened here.

Three years and they let me out, yeah they let me out. They knew I was innocent but the voices are here
I thought I left them in that dark cell, Shut up! I am not listening to you shut up!
They’re quiet now.
But it all happened here

My story gets out, I am a local celebrity, Jay Z came to see me, believe that? Believe that son!
That lady Rosie Odonnell gave me a computer for school, so I can go to college
I love college but there is so many people in class and in my head is saying “they are going to hurt you”
But it all happened here

I said, I am not at Rikers, This isn’t Rikers, No bars no guards
They say they’re here so I left
My family says they love me, they love me, why didn’t they come get me?
Why did they not save me! Why!

I’m fighting monsters, they’re coming through the door, more and more and more, they are shocking me! (aHHHHHHHHH!)
Why did no one save me?

Today my mom is frying fish, I can’t wait to eat. I am hungry the monsters are here today but I am not listening.

I want some fish, they are knocking on the door, it’s getting louder, and I am not letting them in.
I have to get out of this room, I’ll go to the next room and hide, they’re are still trying to get in!

I know I will have to teleport one last time, I need to teleport last time
No more monsters, No more monsters
But it all happened here
In America


Khalief Browder
committed suicide after being incarcerated at Rikers Island with no charges for more than 3 years. He was abused by the officers and the inmates so much that he developed a severe case of paranoia. Despite his release it was hard for him to adjust to life and fight his demons. His story is memorialize in the New Yorker written by Jennifer Gonnerman. This poem is dedicated to all of those who are abused in correctional institutions.