Women of York…

The movie, Flight, got under my skin. The last movie to keep me up at night was back in 2007 when I couldn’t get the movie “Into the Wild,” out of my mind. Yes, I’m weird…

During the closing scene of Flight, when Denzel is writing at his prison desk, the Director pans the camera across his cell and his prized possesions. The book titled I’ll Fly Away was one such possesion. Certain this wasn’t by accident, I googled the book title. No accident. I’ll Fly Away is a collection of essays written by the women of York Prison, the only maximum security prison in Connecticut. These women are NOT who you think they are. Their stories are mostly extreme tragedies mixed in with a few triumphs.

Very few are hardened criminals. All are doing hard time. And, a full 70% are victims of incest and/or rape. Some landed in York after a single act of violence committed after years of predatory abuse. Some arrived as addicts, guilty for numbing the pain. This is not an easy read. It is real and raw. However, if you want to broaden your worldview and experience some good kinda correction for yourself, pick it up. My guess is, like me, you won’t be able to put it down.

Remember, addictions are mostly a feelings disorder. Writing, really throwing it up on paper, can help you deal with your baggage, your mess, your abuse, and yourself. Writing helps humans lighten the load. I’ll Fly Away may be a heavy read, but for many of the authors you feel freedom in their words and stories. You feel them take flight.

Thanks Wally and women of York Prison. God bless you…