This is Larry Stromberg, SCI Phoenix. This is my poem entitled “Turn.”
I’ve turned, changed, many times in my life.
I don’t know why –
The reasons behind the change.
Maybe it’s just like the change of the seasons,
A divine purpose of nature.
People I love, knew,
The people I lost long ago along the way.
Dreams birth, come, die, and birth again.
Why did I turn, change,
To come to prison with a life sentence
for something I’m so forever remorseful for?
The question I ask myself every day.
I pray, for I know I’ve turned to the light
During my last 30 years of incarceration.
Yes, I can’t change the past.
Nobody can.
I can’t change my abusive childhood
Or my marriage falling apart.
I can’t bring back my dream that died so long ago.
I can’t change my crime that hurt so many.
But I can dream again.
I’ve done well being locked up in a dungeon
With a hundred plays written,
Staged in the penitentiary,
Earning my college degree from Villanova University,
Becoming a certified peer support specialist, CPS,
Helping the hurting overcome the struggles of prison.
At the age of 60 years old now,
My 30 years in a cage,
I pray I made a positive difference
To make this world a better place.
Knowing this does my hurting heart some good.
At least, I found my purpose
To leave a good legacy for humanity’s sake.
When it’s all said and done,
When my book closes
I turn for the better,
Than let my self become destroyed
Due to the negative circumstances.
I survive for the good.
Yeah, I can truly rest in that.
I can rest in that.
This is Larry Stromberg. This is my poem “Turn.” Thank you so much.
These commentaries are recorded by Prison Radio.
