The Box
Wesley Williams
So what Box do I check?
There’s no box for me.
I guess I’m free or am I just
in a bigger,
box.
From the projects to the pen
Boxes stacked on top.
You Box me in
because I check Other.
So what are your boxes for?
To ID me before I see myself?
I sit at my box shape desk at
your elementary school,
You knew
I would be in your box,
“it’s elementary” you say
as you file away your profiles.
At that moment,
I knew
I could never be Watson.
You will never teach me
about your boxes.
Out of Chinese food boxes I grow.
I grew too big for your
Box.
This is why the youth color
their hair different hues and do
everything outside of your box.
Boxes on top of men you try to
crush me, I won’t bend.
The title ‘It Just Walked In’ is an actual fact of what happened here at San Quentin. We were not infected until custody walked in prisoners from Chino State Prison, who they knew were infected. Thus began my series of pictures that dealt with COVID-19 and its effect. It has now changed our lives at San Quentin. I myself almost died. I was only saved by the actions of Lt. Hobbs, who apparently talked me into going to the outside hospital for treatment.”
