Poem: More Than a Day

As the execution of David Hosier nears, I revisit a poem I wrote several years ago after an execution.

More than a day.

I’m alone
Nobody’s here
That room
The source of my fear

It’s a long road
To the end of the hall

Somebody please
Listen to me
It’s a long road
To the end of the hall

Nobody cared
To show me the way
Surely a life
Is more than a day

It’s a long road
To the end of the hall
Somebody please
Listen to me
It’s a long road
To the end of the hall

Stop staring at me
Just let me be
Can’t you see
I just want to be free

It’s a long road
It’s a long road
Somebody please
Listen to me
It’s a long road
It’s a long road

I didn’t know
How far this would go
I feel the pain
Poison flows into my vein

It’s a long road
To the end of the hall
Somebody please
Listen to me
It’s a long road
To the end of the hall

Get me up
Quit talking
Religious fluff

It’s a long road
It’s a long road
Somebody please
Listen to me
It’s a long road
It’s a long road

Eyes start to close
Everybody knows
This isn’t right
But nobody will fight

It’s a long road
To the end of the hall
Somebody please
Listen to me
It’s a long road
To the end of the hall

Where were you
Execution is through
Why didn’t you say
One more day

It’s a long road
It’s a long road
Somebody please
Listen to me
It’s a long road
It’s a long road

Go on home
Sleep in your bed
The injustice of it all
Live in your head

It’s a long road
To the end of the hall
Somebody please
Listen to me
It’s a long road
To the end of the hall

I’m finally free
But truth remains
Your killing addiction
Leaves you in chains

It’s a long road
It’s a long road
Somebody please
Listen to me
It’s a long road
It’s a long road