navwin » Archives » Dark Poetry #1 » An Innocent Man
Dark Poetry #1
Post A Reply Post New Topic An Innocent Man Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California

0 posted 1999-08-31 06:49 AM


AN INNOCENT MAN

The crowd chants on, I hear the cries.
I feel the scourge of staring eyes.
I face the world, a man accused.
On my knees, broken down and bruised.

The charges fly, the tension mounts.
The verdicts in. Guilty, all counts.
To serve Justice, the county's boon,
I will hang tomorrow by noon.

I wait, my cell a tomb of grief.
Still plead my case to none's belief.
Alone, in darkness, the world asleep,
I sit awake and weep, and weep.

Tears enough to fill the cauldron of hope,
Not enough to save me from the rope.
Onto the gallows, head held high,
I face the nooses deadly eye.

This midday sun hath never shone this cold.
Alas, I have never felt so old.
The shadows have never loomed so pale,
Alas, the sun, itself, hath drawn a veil.

And I wonder where mercy exists.
And I wonder if Justice persists,
What shame lies ‘hind the hooded head-
Of the hangman by which I now swing, dead.

I wonder if truth ever mattered,
Or if it's just dust on the wind, scattered.
I wonder if life was just a test,
If so, why I failed, given my best.

I wonder of those left behind,
If mine's a name in joy they'll find.
If communal trust and darkling clan-
Will ever exonerate an innocent man.

© Copyright 1999 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved
~one voice~
Senior Member
since 1999-07-08
Posts 664
Billings, MT USA
1 posted 1999-08-31 08:47 AM


Whew! Move over O.J.... hehehe Fantastic emotions portrayed here Michael! I like this piece... Just out of curiousity, mind if I ask what was your muse?

------------------
~onevoice~

"She looked at her life
like lines, never-ending,
constantly forming,
reforming and bending."



WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
2 posted 1999-08-31 09:50 AM


Wow!!! This was a good one! I don't know what to say. You have left quite an image in my head!
moonmoon
Member
since 1999-08-13
Posts 277
TX , USA
3 posted 1999-08-31 10:06 AM




Wow, well done Michael..

------------------
"No one was ever ruined from without;
The final ruin comes from within.".....Amelia E. Barr



poetFemmeFatale
Member Elite
since 1999-07-25
Posts 2646
Arkansas
4 posted 1999-08-31 11:22 AM


This is so powerful, I just have to hang my head in sorrow....I'm in disbelief...

------------------
I beckon you to come...I lure you with my tongue... - poet FemmeFatale



Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
5 posted 1999-08-31 11:53 AM


Well One Voice,
This poem was actually comes from the shame I have personally have felt at the hands of family members who chose to believe an outsiders viscious rumor about me without ever actually hearing what I might have had to say on the matter.
It was actually a very painful piece for me to write, thus it became much easier with the imagery of the gallows. Just for the record - I didn't do it! (hehe)


Michael

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
6 posted 2004-04-28 11:34 AM


Very powerful...

As I read it I was reminded of divorce..

"cast me gently into the morning, for the night has been unkind"
~Sarah McLachlan~

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 » Dark Poetry #1 » An Innocent Man

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