Lights Out

Hotep,

The public art display of internationally renowned artist Rafael Lozano – Hemmer graced the skyline of my city this fall.  “Open Air” is an artful expression that entails 24 search lights placed around the Ben Franklin Parkway.  Every night from 9/20/12 – 10/14/12, the lights could be seen from a 10 mile – radius around the city.  The lights created “light sculptures” that changed based on the frequency of people’s voices.

Nightlife in Philly has changed a great deal since I last frequented my home metropolis, but all the same; I’m drawn to this feel good effect of light within the darkness of night.  As extreme as this artful display may have seemed, it may have been a necessary exhibition for those who feel encaged by darkness.  So, put your seatbelts on blogosphere.  I’m about to make a sharp turn to the point of this literary expression.

The death row housing unit prepares for lockdown every night at 10:55pm.  “Five minutes til lockdown.” The sometime turgid command coming through the loudspeaker indicates the end of the “enclosed liberties” for that particular day.  Before I report to my assigned cell, I give acknowledgement to my inner circle (Bigg Dogg, Dushame, Smoke-Digga, Bucktown and Streez) with a pound.  I acknowledge the rest of the block with a simple: “In the A.M.” or “Next day.”  Five words to live by.  Na mean?

You see, I’ve learned that living on death row can breed fatal thoughts of suicide (R.I.P. Eric Queen, a.k.a. E-Boogie).  That 10:55 acknowledgement could be the difference between a person assisting the state by carrying out their own death sentence; or someone getting up for breakfast the next day.  If I can encourage someone to fight another day, I’ll rest a little easier when the lights go out.  Feel me?

When the lights go out in prison, the atmosphere changes.  For some; life stands still and the anticipation for social interaction becomes a lengthy countdown.  For others; the level of creativity is enhanced by the stillness of the penitentiary darkness.

W2TM is a firework that’s ignited when the lights go out.  As the author of this firework, it’s my duty to shed light where darkness normally prevails.  In saying that; I’m a firm believer in speaking the nonexistent into existence.  The worst of our circumstances can be like walking into a dark room.  A room unfamiliar to us, which makes finding the light switch that much more of a task.

What’s most difficult about understanding the darkness of our circumstances is the patience behind our anticipation to see the light.  Our vision will eventually adjust to the darkness.  With patience, we can see our way through the darkness, and find that light switch that we should all be drawn to.  Just because the lights are out, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re trapped in the dark.  Ya heard?

Be Easy,

MannofStat

Copyright © 2012 by Leroy Elwood Mann