4/21/2012

Haiku: Alcatraz


harsh whispers echo
ghosts float by just out of sight
evil lives here still  



Alcatraz Prison, also known as "The Rock," housed the the worst of the bad guys, including Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and the Birdman of Alcatraz, Robert Stroud.  During its 29 years of operation, the penitentiary claimed no prisoner had successfully escaped. A total of 36 prisoners made 14 escape attempts, two men trying twice; 23 were caught, six were shot and killed during their escape, and three were never found, believed drowned in the currents of San Francisco Bay.

The prison closed in March 1963.


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 Written for Haiku Heights April Heights Challenge - Day 22: Still.

21 comments:

  1. Never knew about this prison, perfect use..

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  2. Thanks for telling us a fact here, nicely written,

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  3. i would still like to visit some time...it was a gastly place...i imagine it would be quite the experience...

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  5. I remmber watching a movie based on this Prison.. if I am right the name is The Rock..

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  6. Very well written....
    It reminds me of prisons in India... located in the Andaman long back, which is not functional now. Esp one on the Viper Island. There was no means of escape with water all around, and by chance a prisoner was able to get outta the prison, the viper snakes killed em!

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  7. Alcatraz is alive.. in our minds that stifles still

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  8. Nice piece. I especially like the little history that you've included. And thanks for your recent visit to my blog. I'm just refocusing on writing again.

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  9. Great post ~ lovely haiku for such an historical site ~thanks, namaste, ^_^

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  10. I remember seeing Alcatraz island in about 1971 from the mainland. It did not have such an evil foreboding to me as you describe. Just an aura of sadness about it. Prisons are just aweful and some of the prioners more culpable than others.

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  11. Creative take on the prompt..thanks for sharing that bit of history ~

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  12. It looked quiet and innocently subdued in the distance. The Birdman left a lasting impression. Great take!

    Hank

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  13. I've seen Alcatraz from a distance - from a boat in the harbor. In the sun, it looks innocent enough - but when the fog starts rolling in, that place becomes nothing short of spooky. Really spooky.

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  14. You've captured the creepiness of the place. I took the tour years ago. Did you? Your words strongly suggest that you have been there.

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  15. The echo of the past never dies.
    your haiku sounds beautiful.

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  16. Living in the Bay Area as I do, and being one who has been to Alcatraz more than once, you have captured the feeling of being there so well. Amazing poem! I wish I had written it.

    Richard

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  17. Unexpected choice; Nicely done ... Alcatraz and all its fortress mysteries! Day 22 ~~ Moonlit Windows

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  18. I think the ghosts of Alcatraz will always be there. You've captured the feeling of the place so well.

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  19. I visited Alcatraz several years ago, and I think you've captured the "flavor" of the place well.

    “Shadowed Is My Way…and Still”

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Thoughts? I would love to hear from you.