A Poem About Matthew D. Hutcheson, Written by His Mother, Carol Hutcheson
For Matt
The darkness hangs heavy in prison
Gray, cold, oppressive, threatening, hopeless
Filled with fear, dominated with doubt, dank with despair
A congregation of convicted—druggies, deviates, deceivers
Somewhere someone curses God, one bullies his buddy, another wastes away,
But not so for my son Matt.
Despite being falsely framed, politically punished, repeatedly rejected,
He’s a brave beacon blocking the black.
From the darkness he sends updates, memorializes memories, authors novels
Sometimes on a paper pad with the floppy inside of ballpoint pen
Sometimes at an aged typewriter or a down-level computer.
He prepares legal motions for freedom
He writes about people he’s met
He testifies about faith in his Savior
He sends letters which multiply love
Amidst ignorance, he teaches knowledge
Amidst despair, he offers hope
Against fear, he commands courage
In darkness, he radiates light.
Carol M. Hutcheson