Poetry

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Christy Marie Camp

POETIC JUSTICE

Once I killed a man
oh please do not be shocked
he used to choke me till I was blue
then he would stop.

Oh yes, we were happily married
or so the story went
I told the cops what happened
and to prison I was sent.

No the judge didn’t want to hear it
and as the jury knew
he was a man just like them
I guess they were too through.

oh I testified to make new laws
to protect women in the state
but tho those rules are now in books
for me it was too late.

They said to ask the Governor
for mercy on my case
I did indeed, and six years later
no answer to my fate.

I filed papers properly
as the court requests
to gain a second look
at whether my conviction should rest

I argued with the best of them
oh how amused they seemed to be
but always found a reason
not to set me free.

I’ve been locked up ten years now
I guess I should have learned
not to bother with a system
where the wheels of justice seldom turn.

Written 6/10/98

by Christy Marie Camp

Christy is a California prisoner sentenced 16 years to life for the death of her abusive husband. She has been incarcerated since 1989 and has an application for clemency pending with the Governor. In 1992, she testified before lawmakers addressing domestic violence issues. She has completed the book, “Take the Keys and Lock Her Up: Bridging the Gap Between Society and Female Prisoners.” She was also selected to receive a full scholarship to Ohio State University and is majoring in business. She has already obtained an A.A. degree through the “CLEP” program as well as two paralegal degrees.

You may write to Christy at:

W-32687
D4-02-04L
VSPW
P.O.Box 92
Chowchilla, CA 93610-0092

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