My Uncle at Nineteen by Kelly Nelson | Really System: Issue Three

My Uncle at Nineteen

          According to a Physician, Psychologist,
          Parole Agent and Reform Center
          Supervisor at the St. Cloud Reformatory for Men
Kelly Nelson

A youth. A wise guy. Unrealistic thinking but no bizarre ideas.
Talks of himself as an ex-convict, thinks life is a big joke. Throat—
normal. Tobacco use—yes. Tall, slim, some spark of ability to relate
to people. Said, "No more time will do me no good."

Rather unattractive, rationalizes freely, poor clerical aptitude.
Presents quite a negative picture but does not seem completely
hopeless. No physical complaints or handicaps. No job preference.
Never been able to associate closely with a stable, adult male.

Mouth—normal. Liquor use—yes. Knew at the time that fights
were against the rules of probation: "This guy was asking for a
fight and I worked him over good." If continued in this institution,
he might very well become bitter and paranoid.

Heart tones—normal. Grade level 10. Feelings of remorse don’t last
very long. Even under a penitentiary setting does not conform to
rules. Ears—normal. Extremities—normal. Denies having sexual
relations with the 16-year-old girl he stayed with in a motel.

Did not go to church after he was confirmed. Bright normal
intelligence. Admits he is guilty. Alias: Dizzy. Any help would
have to be a long-term, close relationship with an accepting adult
male—there is no possibility for such treatment here.

Kelly Nelson is the author of the chapbook Rivers I Don’t Live By (Concrete Wolf Press, 2014). Her poems published here were created from her uncle’s 500-page prison record and are part of a book-length found poetry project supported by the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Her found poetry has also appeared in Verbatim, Found Poetry Review and NonBinary Review. She teaches Interdisciplinary Studies at Arizona State University.

ISSUE THREE: Alertly Messy | next poem →