Hang 'Em High

 

 

Barred, denied by the power's that be,

I could not touch you, only see,

as we sat waiting to hear your fate,

from charges brought by a woman filled with hate.

 

Mad at the loss of her "ticket to ride",

would they see or would they be blind?

Did they hear what the witnesses said

or did the words fall on ears, dead?

 

Such a good man, now filled with fear,

she's put in jeopardy all you hold dear.

The children you love, your reputation, your name,

nothing will ever, ever be the same.

 

They non-chalantly announce your fate

and then they announce your sentencing date.

All who know you gasp and groan,

all I can do is cry and moan.

 

I'll never again believe the system is fair,

truth doesn't matter, they didn't care.

They wanted to believe her lies,

with charges like this, it's hang 'em high.

 

06/94

Reviews

[Lorraine Pearson]

Oh the truth in this...sad but true! Scheming lies are so much juicier than common average everyday truth...gossip and shifty eyes...so much excitement for the one's weaving the webs of deceit... This was an honest right that exposes reality all too well. Nice piece.
~Lorraiyne

[Coyote Poetry]

In some places. You are guilty till you are proof of innocence. I understand the emotion of this poem. I seen it done and hard to repair. A strong ending to a excellent poem.
Coyote

[SuicidePact.]

such power in every word, every line, every stanza :)

[lori c]

this is a powerful piece. kept me reading to the end. all the anguish and suspense in a few stanzas. this rings with a whisper of truth, though i'll not pry. if ever i am called to jury duty, i do hope i remember these words and am able to sort through the lies.

[Flow]

A mentor of mine once told me that "The truth is one thing, but perception is everything" Powerful work you have here. I am thankful that I never had to sit in a jury box to pass judgement on another. Hang em High is a perfect title and poem. Well done~