Maine Gulag: Notes from the Hole
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On Deane Brown's unjust incarceration.
A poem by Beth Berry

Six men convicted of burglary
Five men since have all gone free
But Dino Dino Dino Dino Brown
is serving 59 years in Warren town

Deane was born on New Years Day
Drunk from birth is what he’ll say
His parents went out for a little drink
Locked little Dino under the sink

Used his sister’s barrette at three
To pick the lock and set himself free
Father slammed Dino into the wall
Staggered away on down the hall

Only skill Deane learned to do
Was pick a lock and drink a brew

Dino learned rejection early
Grew up to be big and burly
Laughs and jokes to ease the pain
Keeps him from going insane

Thank you to the state of Maine
Deane will not be free again
Grew up in an institution
There’s no chance for restitution

The state showed him he had no worth
Never really had a chance from birth
Dino’s life had been forgot
Until his brother David was shot

Deane arrived at the funeral home
But he was not allowed to roam
Sat there with his shackles on
Couldn’t believe his brother was gone

Dino’s eyes were full of tears
The murderer got forty years
Mourners all said sorry Deane
Saddest thing you’ve ever seen

Deane went back to his cell you see
To stay until all eternity

Six men convicted of burglary
Five men since have all gone free
But Dino Dino Dino Brown is serving 59 years in Warren town
Dino Dino Dino Brown is serving 59 years in Warren town

©BABERRY2005