Former Political Prisoner Marilyn Buck Joins the Ancestors

Political prisoner  Marilyn Buck made her transition today (Aug 3 2010) at 1 pm est
peacefully and surrounded by friends at home in Brooklyn. Details of 
memorials and where to send cards and donations will follow soon.

The former Austin poet was just released from prison on July 15 after serving 25 of 80 years years for politically motivated crimes which included helping break free Assata Shakur in 1979. During her prison stint, Buck contributedarticles on the subjects of women in prison, solitary confinement, political prisoners, and related issues to a number of journals and anthologies. She has published her poetry in journals, anthologies, a chapbook, and an audio CD. She received a PEN American Center prize for poetry in 2001. In 2008 City Lights Bookstore published her translation (with introduction) of Cristina Peri Rossi’s poetry collection, State of Exile.  

Below is a poem she read..

Marilyn Buck – reads Wild Poppies

http://www.freedomarchives.org/wildpoppies/mp3/WEBwild%20poppiesMB.mp3

Thirteen Springs

had you planted a tree
to fill in the deep well
of my absence
that tree
would be
thirteen springs high
high enough to relieve
the relentless sun of incarceration
strong enough to bear
the weight of children
who might have been born
had i not been seized
from your life and plunged into this
acid washed crypt
of perpetual loss
and high-wired vigilance

but there is no tree
that stands in my place
to harbor birds
and changing winds
perhaps someone will plant a willow
a eucalyptus
or even a redwood
any tree that will
in thirteen years more
bear fruit
and provide
shelter

-Marilyn Buck

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