Another Day Series
by Tammica L. Summers

 mental-health  personal-narrative  poetry  prison-life  prison-industrial-complex

Another Day 1

Another day of realization of being…
In this place,
Another day the cruel reality
Slaps me in the face.

Another day I feel as though…
I’m trapped inside a cage,
Another day I do all I can…
To suppress my internal rage.

Another day same as the other day…
Nothing seems to change.
And though everything stays the same…
It all seems so strange.

Another day I face this life…
Just me and me alone.
Another day slices through me like a knife…
Cause I’m out of my comfort zone.

Another day I wonder why…
And ask myself, “Why even try?”
Another day I say, “Oh no, not again.”…
Another day has drained me dry and I feel like giving in.

Another day I smile…
And force back brewing tears,
Another day added to my file…
Inching up to the years.

Another day I hate to see…
What I am if I’m not free.
Another day I’m forced to live this way…
It’s not living…
It’s just another day!

Another Day 2

Another day I struggle…
To get out of bed.
Another day I wrestle…
With these thoughts in my head.

Another day I go through it…
I get dressed and brush my hair.
Another day I feel like shit…
My clothes are wrinkled and I don’t care!

Another day I wish would end…
Before it has a chance to start.
Another day I have to pretend…
That I don’t feel what's in my heart.

Another day…
Just like the ridiculous day before.
Living isn’t easy…It’s a tedious chore!

Another day I must search…
For peace that’s virtually impossible to find.
Another day a thousand thoughts…
Go racing through my mind.

Another day I pray…
Please, let the end be near.
Another day all I want…
Is just to get out of here.

Another day I struggle…
To act like everything’s okay,
Like nothing’s wrong; like my kids aren’t gone…
Like it’s just Another Day!

Another Day 3

Another day I’m alive…
Another day I’ve survived.
Another day I’ll strive…
To be the best me I can be.

Another day I can’t feel…
Another day my life is real.
Another day for time to heal…
Until the day that I am free.

Another day I have a chance to grow…
And learn from my mistakes.
Another day I have come to know…
That mine isn't the only heart that aches.
Another day is a blessing I have…
Another day to live and laugh.

Another day I will conquer the obstacles…
Determined to block my way.
Another day which brings me closer…
To yet another day.

Another day will soon be the day…
That I will be free.
And that is why Another Day…
Is so important to me.

Another Day 4

Another day in paradise…
Oh boy, what a treat!
Another day, another sacrifice…
Of joy in this blistering heat!

Another day I wander around…
Basking in the burning sun.
Another day I’m the talk of the pound…
And it isn’t remotely fun!

Another day I see the same faces…
But I do not know their names.
Another day I run the same races…
As they play these fuck-ass games!

Another day someone hates me…
And I can only imagine why.
Another day awaits me…
It’s do or fucking die!

Another day I stand on guard…
Trying to watch my back…
Another day it’s getting so hard…
Not to have a panic attack.

Another day I’m forced to entertain…
People outside looking in.
Another day I’m in so much pain…
But with tainted pride I pretend.

Another day is like no other day…
That I have ever known.
And I’ll be glad when Another Day goes away…
And Another Day comes along.

Another Day 5

Another day I wake up…
To these cold concrete walls,
Another day I hear the sounds of screams…
Through these hollow halls.

Another day I’m confined…
Inside of being confined,
Another day I am undefined…
With feelings of love and hate combined.

Another day I analyze…
I try to bend and compromise,
While fighting back tears from my eyes…
My faith dangles and my spirit dies.

Another day I’m stuck…
Just like the day before,
Another day, THIS SUCKS…
More and more and more!

Another day I pray…
For strength and inner peace,
Another day, to myself, I say…
Relax, Relate, Release!

Another day I’m on the set…
Of this same old tired scene,
Another day they won’t let…
Me say exactly what I mean.

Another day I think I can’t make it…
But God knows I will,
Another day I just have to take it…
No matter how I feel.

Today just like yesterday…
Will soon go away,
I guess today is no big deal…
It’s just Another Day!

Another Day 7

Another day I’m in awe…
Of the incredible things I see,
How one can become law…
And put penalties on me.

Another day I’m completely aghast…
At these criminal pieces of shit,
Another day they can kiss my ass…
‘Cause I’m straight tired of it!

Another day I’m NOT at peace…
I can’t let down my guard,
Another day ALL these “play police”…
Deliberately make my time hard.

Another day I can trust no one…
Not even the ones I think I can,
Another day what’s done is done…
And I still don’t understand.

Another day I have a headache…
The just won’t fucking quit,
Another day there’s nothing I can take…
That will soothe this shit!

Another day I am beside myself…
With grief and anticipation,
Another day I let someone else’s…
Beliefs cause me frustration.

Another day I just want to explode…
And set this whole damn place on fire,
Another day I’m in psychotic mode…
I’m like a short-circuited wire!

Another day can’t seem to be by…
Fast enough,
Another day my whole theme is…
Tough, tough, tough.

Another day they hit me with their best shot…
But I’m determined not to lay,
I’m tired of giving them all I’ve got…
Because another day, just like all the other days,
Is the same old fucking day!

Another Day 8

You may find this hard to believe…
But another day you welcome,
Is another day I grieve.

Another day you begin…
Is another day I wonder when,
Whether or not this hell on earth…
Is ever going to end.

Another day you get started…
Knowing pretty much what to expect,
Another day I’m broken hearted…
Not knowing what’s going to happen next.

Another day you get to make a choice…
I can’t say the same,
Another day I have no voice…
Just a number and a name.

Another day the world is yours…
You can go anywhere,
Your day is full of open doors…
Mine are cruel and unfair.

Another day you could care less about me…
My life is not your concern,
Another day you take for granted being free…
As though the tables could never turn!

You may find this hard to believe…
But another day could be your day,
“Another Day” could be the day you grieve…
The things turned out this way!

Another Day 9

Another day in the penitentiary…
Another day these fools keep messing with me.
Another day I can’t wait to see…
Another day closer to the day that I’m free!

Another day goes by so fast…
But not quite fast enough.
Another day I know won’t last…
But, damn, it’s still tough!

Another day I’m exhausted…
From straining with this heavy load of time.
Another day my body suffers from the blows…
From this war within my mind.

Another day I’m convicted that only a man could appreciated…
My sex appeal and my curves.
Another day not getting my needs met…
Is getting on my nerves!

Another day I can’t fulfill…
The intentions of my creative expression.
Another day I’m like, “Get fucking real…”
And I’m in a state of depression.

Another day I don't feel the least bit comfortable…
Doing the things I’ve always done.
Another day I can't just let myself go…
To have a little fun!

Another day that shit just won’t go right for me…
And I’m about to take a dive.
Another day that shit just isn’t the way it’s supposed to be…
And I’m sick of being deprived!

Another day which would be today…
I’m going through it, again!
Another day all I have to sayIs nothing –
because my words are like spit in the wind!

Another Day 10

Another day all I do is suppress…
Things have gotten out of hand,
Another day there is no rest…
In this no man’s land.
Another day I regress…
I simply do not understand,
Another day there is no progress…
Just control and demand!
Another day I take a shower…
And I feel so alive,
Another day I won’t sleep much tonight…
And these bitches will wake me up by five.
Another day my nailbeds burn…
Cause I’ve bitten them ‘til they bleed,
Another day I can’t seem to learn…
That no one cares what I need.
Another day I want to bust a nut…
But the “moment” is never right,
Another day I might become celibate…
I might as well vow: “None during the day. None at night!”
Another day I’m just an ordinary girl…
No one really sees my extraordinary talents,
Another day I can’t be a star in this world…
I’m just mentally and emotionally challenged.
Another day I don’t want to watch T.V.
I want to have the whole world tuned into me,
I want to sing songs and read my poetry…
And have at least one person totally interested in my.
Another day the smile on my face…
Hides everything on my mind,
Another day in this place…
I ain’t doing shit but time!

Another Day 11

Another day I sit and wonder…
Will my little girl be okay,
Another day my heart pounds like thunder…
Will she get pregnant or run away?
Another day my son won’t write me…
Though it hurts, I understand,
Another day past ghosts fight me…
And I remember him as a little boy—NOT a young man.
Another day my mom is not a mom at all…
And I secretly with she’d die,
Another day I stumble and fall…
And no one hears me cry.
Another day I have so much to tell her…
But I know that she won’t listen,
Another day I seem destined for failure…
So much of what I need is missing.
Another day my stomach bulges…
I can’t even button up my pants,
Another day I dream of the glory days…
How I mesmerized the crowd when I danced!
Another day I’m in sheer awe…
I’ve really let myself go,
Another day everyone around me is flawed…
And call me names like “bitch” and “ho.”
Another day this pain persists…
In my neck and in my back,
Another day I just exist…
And time ain’t cutting me no slack.
Another day I don’t get mail…
What am I to say,
Another day I say, “oh, well”…
And wish for another day!

Another Day 12

Another day I’m stronger…
Than I ever imagined I’d be.
Another day I’ll have to wait a little longer…
Until the day that I’m free.
Another day I’m becoming numb…
To the mental beatings that I take,
Another day new trials come…
That are difficult to shake.
Another day I force myself to stand…
When days before I’d lay,
Another day I feel like I’m in quicksand…
But I plan for the future (freedom) anyway.
Another day I rise to the occasion…
But they’ll do their best to make me fall,
Another day there’s no positive persuasion…
To do anything at all.
Another day it’s common sense…
To trust no one’s advice but my own,
Another day I’m convinced…
That no matter what—I’m going home!

Another Day 13

Another day I’m still not used to all of this
And I can’t make myself not feel,
I want true love, peace, and happiness…
And I always will,
Reality is a simple pleasure I miss…
This world is just so surreal,
What I need is spiritual bliss…
Only God can help me heal.
Another day my heart is broken…
And the pain is really stifling,
Love in here is only token…
Merely illusive, simply trifling.
There’s a fire burning in my chest…
And I can’t put out the flames,
I’m stressed, I can’t rest…
And I’m in no mood for games!
Another day I learn the hard way…
That “love” don’t love nobody,
And being gay for the stay
Wasn’t worth the afterparty!
Now I’m literally sick…
And I want some relief quick,
I couldn’t beat this feeling off with a stick…
And inside I’m screaming; This is bullshit, get over it!
Another day, I wear my heart on my sleeve…
And I’m the better person for it,
Cause I’m a diehard for love and I still believe…
There’s just no way to ignore it!
Another day I’m still not used to all of this…
And I feel too much not to feel,
Another day I have this secret wish
And I pray God helps me heal.

Another Day 14

Another day I’m searching for something real…
That has yet to be found,
Another day I keep giving them something they can feel…
And they keep making me feel down.
Lately I’ve been on an even keel…
Walking on solid ground,
New emotions have filled me with zeal…
Yet I still feel like I’m going round & round!
Another day I’m finding it extremely hard to chill…
While I’m on this compound,
These cannibal bitches eat each other like it’s their last meal…
It don’t take much of nothing for a bitch to go down!
Another day it’s time for me to yield…
Before I straight up clown.
For a lot of these women, this life’s a thrill…
But it’s another day that I’m not down!
I have skills on top of skills…
You hear how this piece sounds,
And I might be getting ready to make a deal…
With the publishing company downtown!
For those who can’t see past what’s in here,
It is truly a shame,
They’ll always be waiting for count to clear…
Or for some loser to call their name,
They live for those cherished moments of fame…
And if anything goes wrong, they’ll never take the blame,
They think life is just one big game…
I’ve been there, done that,
But I aint so glad I came!
Another day I’m searching for something that just does not exist…
In this virtual hell on earth,
Where the journey’s in a maze and there’s always a twist…
And the typical attitude is, “me first!”
In the scheme of things it really doesn’t matter
The search is a moot point,
Another day anything I want will be on a silver platter
Because of what I write about this joint!

Another Day15

Another day, I’m not feeling very stable.
Usually I’m strong, but today I’m just not able!
When I woke up; I already knew it…
I’d had enough, I was already going through it!
Another Day I’m tired of trying…
I’m on the verge of crying.
And I can’t seem to get rid of
These constant thoughts of dying!
My heart keeps skipping beats…
I’m sweating bullets on my sheets,
I’m freezing cold, and curled tight in a ball…
In turmoil is my soul; as I stare at the concrete wall.
I’m not happy or content…
The pain in my eyes makes that evident,
My B-day, a pathetic event, has come and went…
And I desperately need some ears so I can vent!
Today is just another day, I’m spent.

Another Day 17

Another day I sit and think… Oh boy what a day
 
Another day gone in a blink This time is underway
Another day I won’t sink Sitting on the dock of the bay
Another day I find pieces to my missing link
And,intuitively, I know things will be okay
Another day I look at the big screen And determinedly I press on
I have faith, the hope in the things unseen And I know one day I’ll go home!
Another day I get dressed To start another day
Another day I’m not impressed But another day started is another day underway
Another day I contemplate Why I’m stuck in here
Another day I hurry up and wait
For chow line, pill line, movement - and for count to clear!
Another day these hard times Can’t go by fast enough
I’ve done five years on my crime And this road is still rough!
Another day there’s just no getting used to it I will never be content
Another day I force myself to do it even when I am spent
Another day this shit is getting old And I want something new
Another day I got to do what I’m told Just because I wear blue
Another day ain’t easy But at least it goes away
Another day closer to being free Hooray for another day!