County Prison Museum

Tristan Robert Lange

Formidable entombment
Of society’s shadows.
 
Let’s commemorate!
 
The worst of us—
Poured like cement—
 
Given permission
In what we call
 
Government.
 
© 2026 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved. 
First published on tristanrobertlange.com, September 1, 2026.
 
Tittu
  • Author: Tristan Robert Lange (Offline Offline)
  • Published: September 1st, 2026 07:32
  • Comment from author about the poem: Part of the Truth, Applied collection. Written outside of the Burlington County Prison Museum in Mount Holly, NJ. Photograph taken by Tristan Robert Lange at the Burlington County Prison Museum entrance and graphic design by the author; Poetry: written by Tristan Robert Lange, Human-authored.
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 20
  • Users favorite of this poem: Paul Bell, Syd
  • In collections: Truth, Applied.
Comments +

Comments6

  • sorenbarrett

    Tristan a commemoration of the worst fits of society. The us at the end of a line has double meaning (we or the United States) maybe the same. Well written my friend

    • Tristan Robert Lange

      Thank you, Soren! Yes...the nation and all of us living within it are implicated together. None of us stands completely outside what our society permits. Much appreciated, my friend. 🏛️🔒🖤🙏

      • sorenbarrett

        My pleasure Tristan

      • nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson)

        much enjoyed write my friend

      • orchidee

        Good write T. A museum of brollies for.... WCAT! lol.

        • Tristan Robert Lange

          Thanks, Orchi! The WCAT Museum of Incarcerated Umbrellas opens Monday...every exhibit is locked up, the forecast is unavailable, and nobody remembers where they left the keys. Wait, was that something wet and viscous I felt drip? I know...WCAT! 🤮🤣 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦‍⬛

        • Paul Bell

          They make sure they never go in there, but make sure others do.
          Do they still break rocks in America.

          • Tristan Robert Lange

            Exactly, Paul...the people shaping these systems are remarkably skilled at remaining beyond their reach. The classic rock-breaking image is largely historical, though prison labor continues and some states still authorize quarry work. Always appreciate you, my friend. 🏛️🔒🖤🙏

          • Syd

            Hi Tristan,

            It seems we haven't locked away and buried the worst dregs of society but gave them positions in government.

            A clever write indeed.

            - Syd 🍄

            • Tristan Robert Lange

              Exactly, Syd! We build cells for the people we condemn while constructing offices for others whose damage reaches far beyond any prison wall...that contradiction sits at the heart of this piece. Thank you, my friend. 🏛️🔒🖤🙏

            • Lorenz

              Very educational for boisterous kids !

              • Tristan Robert Lange

                Thanks, Lorenz...a little history, a little terror, and considerably better behavior on the ride home! 🤣 🏛️🔒🖤🙏



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