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