One of the first times I
went to jail, it was in
Polk County for
public intox.
Drunk in public.
I was homeless for years,
where else was I supposed
to get drunk?
They took me to the
station booked me, and gave
me my phonecall.
I called the bail bonds.
They wanted collateral.
I didn\'t have anything.
To act tough, I said,
\"Fuck you.\" and hung up.
The cop asked if I felt suicidal.
I didn\'t but in my drunken
stupor, I said,
\"I wish I were dead, you fucking pig.\"
My next steps were to a small
room with a drain in the middle of
the floor. They had me strip all my
clothes off and gave me a paper gown.
It was the worst ten hours in jail I
ever spent.
Then, I did wish I was dead.
I was released the next morning.
Kind of sober, and kind of glad to
be alive.
I changed into my clothes.
I found two valiums in my back pocket.
I took them quickly and thought I
need to find a safer place to
get drunk.