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19 Anthony Cristofani Literal Prison O Wilhelm! the solitude ofa cell, the hairshirt and the spiked belt would be sweet comfort to my yearning heart. —Goethe, The Sorrows ofYoung Werther Not to down play the power of the imagery, for metaphors are often more true than the true thing itself, and many are the layers of prison in the human trunk, but I cannot help but wonder when poets and friends speak of the 'prison' of their fears or disorders, lives or loves— I wonder if in their prisons as in mine They must live over their left shoulder, fend off hopeless fist-headed thugs, drink dirty water, avoid contact with all other races under penalty of knife in the gut, and obey overpaid undersouled guards who punish those who speak their mind as I do right here. ...

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