“But It’s Not My Birthday?”
Each year I am brought into an empty room. In it, is a birthday cake – but it’s not my birthday. You see, if I can stand on top of the cake without smashing it… I can go free. I have tried for 25 years, but I always smash the cake. If I were to practice, I might be able to do it. But, everytime I do get a cake, I eat it with some friends instead of trying. When we gather to eat it, we have some fun, but what really happens is, they find out is that my love for them is greater than my freedom.
Some of my prisoner friends weep as they eat the cake, feeling the sorrow for me. They, as I, are proud we are friends.
I wonder, who’s watching when I am alone in that room, trying to figure out how not to smash the “freedom cake”. I wonder if they know God, know anything of life, or ME, for that matter.
This year when I am brought into that empty room with the cake in the middle of the floor, I think I will speak to one of the two cameras, this is what I think I’ll say;
“Hello, my name is George Martorano. I do not know if you are the same ones that have watched me for 25 years. I do not know if you have changed over the years, I have. I wonder, does this make you laugh. I have tried every which way to get to that freedom door, shoes off, shoes on, on my toes, on my heels, socks, no socks, sideways. Heck, I even tried ballet, imagine that: but nothing works. You all have seen me weep, laugh, shout, and sometimes remain silent all throught it. But, this year I won’t try, no, I’ll speak this year as I am doing now.
“I wonder who thought up this torture for me alone. There are over 200,000 federal inmates. Yet, I alone, am brought before this cake. I wonder if you film me year after year, trying. I hope not. I hope there is some soul inside your flesh. Souls that know kindness, love and the smell of morning rain. My soul does. Yet, all you wish of my self-spirit is to bring me before a cake and a door marked freedom. But you see, I have not smashed that cake before myself, my spirit, or the being-of-man I bring to others. NO, I can stand on top of any cake, I can jump, dance and step to prison life with greatness, a greatness I use to guide others. So, while you sit and watch me try through yout cameras, remember that cake has more meaning than thee.”
“Now, what I do is not for me, no, it is for those that suffer like me under this lock and key. I kneel before this cake, like an alter, and I pray for all that can’t see what they should.”
X X X X X
So, for those reading this now, please, just close your eyes. Picture me, alone, kneeling in front of that cake. Keep your eyes closed, and say a little prayer. Pray for those that are locked away that can’t get that second chance, pray for their loved ones. Pray that the world changes soon, before it’s too late for all. And most of all, pray to never step on any cake, no, SMASH it and live under God’s stars with honor. For honor is without lies and fear. For honor only has one fear… the Heavens, only the Heavens, and not man, cakes, cameras, or empty rooms with doors marked freedom.
George