Absence of Light is a project created in collaboration with incarcerated people at Auburn Correctional Facility in Auburn, New York. This is an account from Absence of Light Columnist Clifford Graham, who recently transferred to Mohawk Correctional Facility in Rome, New York.

Once an individual determines how far they are willing to go for their cause, the path that they are on will shift in two ways. It will either become narrow or it will widen — the former because of a short-sightedness, the latter for seeing so far ahead. Caution should be taken when it comes to alliances, for not everyone is willing to ride the long journey with you.

Many will request to be dropped off along the way, mainly because to them the risks outweigh the rewards. But for some the reward is simply taking the risk. The risk to be heard, the risk to be felt, the risk to relate, the risk to be loved, the risk of not taking risks. Generation after generation you have stories that were told, examples that were set, paths that were paved. The cracks in the concrete makes me wonder if we’re walking on unmarked graves.

Only truth can give true reputation. Only reality can be a real prophet. Words from a wise man, many generations removed from my time, who was thrown in solitary confinement by his government and forbidden to have pen and paper out of fear that he would write out against the institutions of his day. A timeless quote uttered from across the world, received by a new dimension.

But not all who see have their eyes open. Nor all those who see look. Grave consequences for any person in modern times, especially those who live from information by ears and not by sight. So, one has to distinguish the person of words from the person of deeds.

Someone whispered that distinguishing a person of words from a person of deeds is similar to a tree: you have some trees that grow fruit, and you have other trees that just grow leaves. You have to know which one is profitable and which one only serves as shade. I assume the only question worth asking at this point is, which tree do you choose to utilize first?

Cliff Graham, # 15-B-2973
Syracuse, New York.
Mohawk Correctional Facility in Rome, New York.
I can be reached at JPay-Inmate Tablet Program via email for any opinions, comments or wise counsel.

Published on February 8, 2022 at 1:05 am