Why I do what I do

[mizzou7016]

WHY?

People ask me for my story trying not to pry

They need to know or understand and ask me why

It is not for me to protect my fragile nerve

It is you – my friend, my family – that I wish to serve

To provide for each some comfort, full safety and a night of rest

Knowing that while behind these walls with the threats, the predators, I must be my best

I know alone on my own I will eventually fall

But to immediately have officers at my side all I need to do is call

They will respond, each and all, only seconds away

A victim – not I – to be a predator’s prey

I may bleed, I may fall, I will take the worst that is thrown

But I will rise – we all respond – as this post we do own

These threats, these risks, our fears held closely to the vest

Our pain to others we wish not to invest

You ask me WHY you must stand and have your back to the wall?

I laugh and say, “To see what’s coming trying to make me fall”

Without my team, my sisters and my brothers in tow

It’s only half of the room, in front of me, that I must know

You ask, “Why do your eyes move? They dart, they roam, they do not stare”

I say, “The danger to me, my brother, my sister, we must see to prepare"

“Why do you laugh at that which makes me cringe?”

It’s my ying to jail life’s yang on which I daily binge

I have to joke, I have to laugh, about the evils I endure

It’s my salve – my calming rain – my mind’s treatment and cure

Never though do I laugh at another man’s true pain

Digging the hole deeper for others gives me no gain

We will fight, we will battle, we go to death’s door

For you I make safe, I make life full of fear no more

Through the sun, through the night, on my rounds, I do roam

I walk the halls of gates, of steel, of memory-filled stone.

Craig Gottschalk

[gajh]

Thank you for the work that you do to keep us safe.

[LifeIsThePitts]

Did you write this beautiful tribute? I am deeply humbled by your leadership, service and dedication to our safety.🥲🫂💟

[mizzou7016 in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

No...and right now I'm slowly dying inside. Had a 16 hour work day. Half of which was escorting an inmate to the hospital...then being in the room when the inmate was told that he had lung cancer which has spread to his kidneys...liver..and spine...on top of a clot in his arm that was trying to find it's way into his jugular vein. I've dealt with that

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to mizzou7016]

OMG what a wretched day. I'm sorry 😔 I'm at a loss for words. You must be totally drained. Have you known this inmate for a while? I don't know how you survive this level emotional angst on a daily basis.

I hate my job, but its just a bunch of idiots on vacation and nothing like what you have to deal with. Mine is adult babysitting with ALL society's vices at their immediate disposal. Yesterday we watched 7 security guards wrestle a drunk asshole after he refused to comply with managements request about his VERY unacceptable behavior. Idiot threw a punch at a partially disabled employee which triggered his "escort" to the back of house.

You're an amazing person for what you do 💟🫂

[mizzou7016 in reply to LifeIsThePitts]

I'm struggling with the whole thing....known him for at least 10-15 years....just at a loss...that made me smile

[LifeIsThePitts in reply to mizzou7016]

You're not just a prison guard to these "inmates". You're a counselor, caregiver, overseer, disciplinarian, authoritarian and protector of everything and everyone within those walls. Tread lightly and carry a big stick, type responsibility on your shoulders. You do it gracefully and humbly. I'm sure this individual is more than just a # in your long career of relationships. Just because they're the "criminal" and you're the "guard" doesn't change the fact that we're all human beings. You've clearly not lost sight of that gift and haven't been hardened and disenfranchised by the lack of humanity in Humanity. You are a bigger person than I, Mr mizzou💞you set the bar high, my friend. I admire and look up to you. Thanks for brightening my view of the world with one small act of magnificent selflessness.

[mrmonk]

That last line was worth the price of admission. 👍

Thanks for posting it.