The Woman Outside

The Woman Outside © A woman lost and innocent, loving the wrong man, loving him in spite of his terrible choices, bearing his children, knowing the gamble The gamble is lost and they take him away to a place where fear, anger and violence reigns and he has no choice but to do his time and come out alive She has lost far more than freedom, and occupies her own prison of fear, hopelessness, and resentment Once a month and every holiday she takes her beautiful hopeful children inside the walls to sit in the cold dreary room with the other families; always waiting She must play the part of the good wife and perfect mother while she slowly withers inside her soul crying out because she has done nothing wrong but still will be punished with the rest of them. Trisha Sugarek Moths and Machettes