THRU THE VENT: Mark Springer
“In the penitentiary, much time is spent ‘locked down’ due to lack of staff, solitary confinement, shakedowns, and a host of other factors. Those in lockdown units – confined to their cells all day – often use the ventilation system to communicate. Speaking about everything from family secrets, personal history, to one’s future, through a vent is where we shared what was on our hearts and minds. This is no different. I present to you… THRU THE VENT.”
Curated by BL Shirelle.
THRU THE VENT is a series made up of lived experiences from prison-impacted people — musicians and non-musicians alike — where they share their triumphs, tragedies, and everything in between. This is a judgment free zone. Some stories will be triumphant, some will be heartbreaking, they will all be nothing more than human.
For this Thru The Vent, we will share a poem.
“Color Me Bad”
Colored me bad…
Colored me unworthy...
Colored me long...
Touching of lives, touching of trauma, touching that creates purposes yet known…
The rolling out of loss at the cost of family desired…
The rolling out that leaves behind shattered hopes, darkened dreams, broken treasures and creative imaginations…
The rolling out that seems to never cease, rapidly increase, threatens peace and devours time.
Fighting to stay afloat, being pulled by the current…
Fighting emotions suppressed, screaming "Stop threading"; be carried off into depression… Fighting artistically to rise above all the anger, all the hurt, all the pain and missed opportunities, effects caused by the impact of my choices…
What I've done doesn't define who I am anymore…
So, I hold on knowing this is not the end...
I've submitted to this process, my change, regardless of what life brings, no matter how large the problem may seem; with a made up mind that it's not over, the pain will one day go away…
I hold on with extended hands to help my fellow man...
I hold on expressing with colors, words, and music; making contact that impacts the lives of others…
Giving hope, sharing…
This is not the end…
We, I, MUST HOLD ON….
Mark Boyd Springer
Self portrait (2015)
Mark Springer is not only a prolific, supremely talented songwriter, visual artists and composer — he is also a great man in every sense of the word. Please consider signing his clemency petition today! Learn more and sign here.