An Angel Fallen
An Angel Fallen…
~written from the perspective of an inmate wrongfully accused and awaiting the death penalty…
Too many hours falsely employed,
Books read, weights lifted, I’m often still
Visits abide with extirpation,
And freedom blisters my window sill
A speck of light to an icy cold
The dust affixed to a concrete groyne
A phalanx of strangers new and old
Gather to see me being purloined.
In line I sit, and await my turn
The screams and cries mimic through the hall
The memory flicks while minutes burn
My inside walls need overhaul
I’ll miss them too, but fresh air beckons
And ligature marks, they need to heal
So free my neck from hands, for seconds,
The throat of justice desires repeal
Aloof, my life in the rearview
Espoused to a book fascination
God, they seduce you, then they break you,
Weak or strong, they bespeak flirtation.
And wholly I give in to their want,
Their calling penetrates my brain waves
Like a child I adhere to their taunts,
And in seconds, years, lifetimes, I cave.
I give in to the books, the tortures,
I don’t even feel the maimed words and snares
I bowed willingly to their borders,
I embrace how nobody would care
The mouths came to feed on my sorrows,
Their upturned mugs looked down upon me.
Like some offered shame could be borrowed,
They then questioning if I disagree
Visit after visit, you’d show up,
You, random man with briefcase and suit
You’d speak like we’ve shared a many cups,
Like we were travelling upon the same route.
And I’d listen, though my ears would bleed,
my mind yearned to fade into a book
I would listen, as you will indeed,
Yes, I’m a man who needs a second look…
I sit still in matching garb and chains
As the world attacks with errant jabs
I see them judge me, their mocking brains
Then back again for my concrete slab
And back to words that caress the soul,
That tingle the plasma in my veins
Away I run…away from this hole,
This pools of shadows that dares profane
The trips now fewer, the drive now lost,
Anonymous faces, they never stay
My teeth now clinching with every thought
To every little word they would say.
Words like sorry, and no evidence,
The tears now dried up, from lack of news.
The demons inside find genesis,
In the moral and legal abuse
I’m caged and living this life alone
For such circumstance to leave me lost
As judge and jury sleep tight at home
I’m living now in this holocaust
I understand. You can’t spare a thing,
A hand, some time maybe, a good talk.
But think of me while you’re 9 to 5ing,
Then homeward bound as free as a hawk
With your wings spread, the moon in your eyes
Attuned to the gospel of the night
Around me a tender nimbus lies,
As I fight my demons that block the light…
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Great write. I think for many of us from time to time some demons raise their ugly heads.
Rasma thank you so much for reading. I really appreciate your kind words.
Emotive and beautifully penned work, Paul. The agony and sorrow of being falsely accused is horrific. Great work, dear friend.
Thank you so much Phyllis. I couldn’t imagine sitting in prison being wrongfully accused. It must be the most horrible to have, like sick to my stomach feeling. Thank you so much glad you enjoyed.
I love the subject of your verse. The emotional turmoil of the prisoner. It reminded me of Sir Thomas Wyatt and other English poets who spent a lot of time in the tower. Jamie
I couldn’t imagine it Jamie. It must be the worst feeling ever, rotting in some cold cell for someone else’s wrong doing. It has to be horrible. Thank you so much for reading. I do appreciate it.
Just today before reading this verse I watched as our President was finely cleared after being falsely accused. Perfect timing. Enjoyed this piece Paul..
Wasnt that great. Now what do the democrats go after. Thanks Kurt.
Magnificent piece Paul, it’s so sad to read of prisoners who have been wrongfully convicted and finally cleared after spending many years in the pen. I’m from a family on my fathers side of convicted men who know the cell’s very well, but they were convicted for crimes they did actually commit. You are a truly gifted wordsmith and I admire your work as always. I will be back in to read more of your work Paul. And indeed, your President was right all along, it was truly a “Witchhunt” can you imagine now the Democrats are conjuring up more ways to try and indict him. They are truly a radical left, I’ve never seen the Dem’s in such disarray. That Adam Schiff character is a piece of work, he should be forced to step down. Well enough said, your work is so descriptive and visual as well. Wonderfully penned.
Dems will always be witch hunters. This country is full of cronies and bullshit artists when it comes to politics, they are the ones who should be locked up, with the key thrown out. They are usually guilty of the crimes they commit. It has to be horrible sitting there wasting away for someone else’s doing. Thank you again Vincent. Much appreciation.