Seems like it’s
where you’ve been 
that dictates where
you’ll go, but no
matter what it is, 
it will never be
what it was, when
all you ever had is
gone.  Sometimes it’s 
the shortcut that
leaves you needing
stitched back up
again, but whatever
it is that helps you
hold it all together 
could one day be what 
ends up pulling you
all apart. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR. Dan Grote was writing poetry long before he submitted to WITS and is the author of We Are All Doing Time. Mr. Grote’s poetry has been widely published and also featured in WITS Newsletter Issue 13. Dan Grote has been polishing his writing skills and also became a certified teacher’s aide while in prison and will soon be going home to the Chicago area where he hopes to connect with support and begin building his new life on the outside. To contact Dan Grote:

Dan Grote #22670-424
United States Penitentiary Canaan
P.O. Box 300
Waymart, PA 18472