navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #4 » The day before the execution
Open Poetry #4
Post A Reply Post New Topic The day before the execution Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Master
Senior Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 1867
Boston, MA

0 posted 1999-11-14 04:05 PM


Disturbed by writings on the wall
And wild thoughts that will not settle
I see the sun through rusty metal
I hear the silence in the hall
I think tomorrow is the day
The clock is showing half passed three
The only one who’s here with me--
A friendly spider eats his prey
A pencil which was long like life
Is now less than a third its length
And yet it still contains its strength
To help me breathe, to help me strive
My days go by with speed of lightning
Even my nights seem way to brief
I know, I’m lacking time to live
Just give me time to finish writing
His deadly work appears so neat
The friendly spider weaves his web
Hand of the clock takes one more step
As one more line falls on the sheet
“The life I lived was an illusion
I will awake and it will fade”
Upon the paper is the date--
The day before the execution

© Copyright 1999 Andrey Kneller - All Rights Reserved
Ohme
Senior Member
since 1999-07-17
Posts 816
Texas
1 posted 1999-11-14 04:16 PM


Seems Texas leads the nation in number of executions and I have often wondered how the prisoners feel about the value of their own life. Thanks for sharing this poem. Enjoyed.

------------------
Yesterday is history, tomorrow just a mystery. And if today is good to me how could I ask for more?

Munda
Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544
The Hague, The Netherlands
2 posted 1999-11-14 05:12 PM


Many years ago I tried to capture the feeling of the day before the execution. I never could capture it as well as you did.
Very well done !

[This message has been edited by Munda (edited 11-14-1999).]

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

3 posted 1999-11-14 08:30 PM


An excellent piece of writing, Master. Very powerful.

------------------
Denise


Master
Senior Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 1867
Boston, MA
4 posted 1999-11-14 09:57 PM


Thanks everybody, I wrote this right after I read a book by Nabokov, called "an invitation to an execution." Very powerful book and I recommend it to you, if you have a chance, read it!
Systematic Decay
Senior Member
since 1999-09-15
Posts 1301
That place with padded walls and funny people in white.........
5 posted 1999-11-14 10:02 PM


This one is very good, I really like it.

------------------
Thinking is just what a great many people think they are doing when they are merely rearranging their predjudices.



First__Knight
Senior Member
since 1999-11-08
Posts 678

6 posted 1999-11-14 10:04 PM


This made me not want to reach the end of the poem.....Like I knew the ending and wanted it to continue like the steps of time.
hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
7 posted 1999-11-15 09:17 AM


Nicely told tale
Sally S.
Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847
Ohio
8 posted 1999-11-15 09:21 AM


oooooo.....the type of poem that brings chills. Nice work!!
Master
Senior Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 1867
Boston, MA
9 posted 1999-11-15 05:23 PM


THanks everybody!
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

10 posted 1999-11-15 05:26 PM


WOW!
Impressive!
I really like the four lines:
'A pencil which was long like life...
To help me breathe, to help me strive'

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #4 » The day before the execution

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary