Chairwell Cruel World

A villanelle about capital punishment.

  

I shall not live beyond today
I'm strapped upon a dreaded chair
And wish my life I could replay

I hear the pastor softly pray
So sweet a sound while I prepare
I shall not live beyond today

Some innocence I once did slay
How damage done does not repair
I wish my life I could replay

Not long until I'm gone away
To leave this world without an heir 
I shall not live beyond today

What waits behind my last doorway?
Nothingness? Or descending stair?
I wish my life I could replay

It's such a heavy price I pay
He turns the switch to my despair
I shall not live beyond today
And wish, my life, I could replay...


 
 

Author's Note

The photo was downloaded off google images.

Reviews

[Tom McRoberts]

A throne, crown of thunder, and the saddest monarch you'll ever meet. This is a solid piece, Soul. You've made me feel empathy without ignoring the voice's crime. If the best art is honest art you've done wonderfully.
I'd recommend perhaps exploring some more unconventional phrasings, just to amp the provocation up further, but I appreciate how much of a pain in the arse it is following the Villanelle format.
Great work, keep it up!

[D.T.]

While reading, I actually felt for him. This is very well written and overall a good poem. Great job!

[thewholesoul]

cheers D.T. your read and review are very much appreciated. take good care

[Mick Burke]

Even though he admits his crime we feel sympathy for him. Nicely written.

[thewholesoul]

i guess it's our humanity within. maybe we don't, afterall, have the right to take another's life (outside of self defence), even a guilty one, given that we did not create his life then it is not ours to take. thanks for the read and review. very much appreciated.

[Ruben Wainui]

Wow this is amazingly powerful and chilling.
It has a smilier effect to Nick Cave's "The Mercy Seat".
Truly great

[thewholesoul]

nothing better than when a poem impacts a reader. your comment was very much appreciated