Playing Hang Man

Playing Hang Man



Dawn of the day

A new beginning

also the ending

For the condemned man

Shackled and chained

Slowly walks
the thirteen steps
to the gallows

Holy man
walks with the
the soon to be dead

Reciting scripture
and empty prayers
that never registered
with the sinner

The killer to be killed
mumbles some
last words for 
all eternity to ignore

The noose slips tight
around his neck

trap door opens

dangling feet 
thrash about

A clean snap

The death sentence
is punctuated

Justice served?

Deterrent or revenge?

Maybe both?

Does the state
have the right
to take a life?

I don't know