Date with the needle

Take a deep breath before you start reading so the music can kick in.

Date with a needle (a different kind of love story)

Lately, I've stared into the void

The darkness in life is all too bright

Everything I've built now destroyed

How does a mother continue to fight this fight?

 

Welcome to the green mile

A cemetery for the living just waiting to die

Another outcast, another exile

Struggling to find a way to say goodbye

 

I just want you to know my child

Tomorrow, I have a date with a needle
so when you grow up confused and riled

Today, I would like to apologize to you of all people

 

 

Dear Leo,

Its mom

I love you son

I know you're hurting

But it's alright

I'll watch out for you

Tuck you in every night

You're probably too small to understand

But someday you'll be an understanding man

I would like you to know mommy's innocent

The drugs I carried in, were to pay rent

Drugs lead me to an early death

A haunting reality I'm dealing with

Become the man I dreamt you would

An honest man, a man that stands for good

Baby time is running out

It's too late to get my life sorted out

But Leo don't you worry, not one bit

Just be good and learn to live with it

You'll be okay

You'll always find your way

And even now when my time is up

Just know mommy's smiling, she hasn't given up

Baby, I'll always be your mom

Never will I forget you son

The last meal arrives

My tears continue to drop

For justice will claim lives 

Until the drug trade stops

 

The last rights read

I have a smile on my face

I’m soon to be dead

But I remember your embrace

My hands clasped tight

The needle penetrates my skin

I can feel my lungs put up a fight

But the lethal chemicals win

 

Final breath close

Am I still alive?

Leo's cute nose

Time of death: 12:45

 

 

Author's Note

just an idea I got this afternoon, any feedback appreciated

Reviews

You're touched by something higher my friend. This is so perfect, and well written, in feeling, in touch, in element, in story telling, in bringing over the daily news, almost, of how hard life can be, and how real the facts are. You left me reading, feeling, and pausing here many times, an emotional lump in my throat, of beauty, of pureness, I can't describe. Some poets are bringing it over, but you really touch... I'm in awe of your talents, and skill with this one, (a hard one to write about). But this happens in life. I feel you're a invisible journalist of purity, this was utterly fantastic. If you could see my arms right now, they have goosebumps. (happens not often).

Thank you for being the man and poet you are, and for sharing your mind/thoughts, with us all.

- Elisa

[Krista Gallant]

Magnificent! Being a mother myself, it reached deep into my soul. My heart still aches at the thought. I hope someday that my writings are as good as this :D

[KeeD]

Thank you so much for the review, I'll have a read through your work, I have to repay your kindness :) Much respect, for one being a mother, I know it's one of the most rewarding jobs in the world although its hard work :) and 2 for being a really nice person. Kee.

[AshleyNicole]

Wow. Absolutely beautiful.

[KeeD]

Thank you ma'am :)

[David the writer]

It was great! You trapped me there in the crowd, watching the mom's death. And it was so sad, yet so amazing how the mom loved her bab enough to smile just from imagining it while her rights were being read. Like nothing but THIS mattered while I was caged in the scene. Great job!

[KeeD]

thank you david :)

[David the writer]

Np, thanx for sharing

[Rajkamal]

Very prosaic. How do you explain the second sentence of the poem? is the woman is getting religious on the eve of death sentence? And speaking of death sentence, which country penalizes drug-peddlers by killing them?

[KeeD]

China, was inspired after doing some research on women in prisons around the world I came across an article of 4 women executed in China for carrying drugs into the country. One only being in her 20's as for the second sentence is has no religious backing to it it just an emphasis on the people around her in the other jail cells, serial killers, rapists, women who have killed their children. Being here she knows true darkness, it shines bring in front of her eyes.

[Rajkamal]

ok. That information was helpful to put the poetry in a perspective. Can I suggest one thing: Can you add the above, very valuable info, in the note for reviewer section?
Repentance, as it runs through this poem, seems to be inspired by fear, the fear of death, which ultimately pushes the convict to write an advisory letter to her child. That letter, as a stand alone poem, would have been so very interesting, I am smacking my lips at that imaginary prospect. But anyways, coming back to this particular poem, I am not sure if the remorse is honest enough to stand incase the convict wasn't due for the lethal injection. Also, that justification for the act you provide in the letter, ruined some of the edge for me. I think it was too much detail. Or wait a minute, is the convict lying? Just to convince her child that she was an innocent victim sacrificed at the altar of an extremely intolerant society and that her crime was just an accident forced upon her by the hard circumstances, a wimp of a husband?

[KeeD]

Exactly all those factors in the letter play out the way the reader wants to view them. She could be lying.. she could be telling her son that she infact was innocent in her intentions but not in her actions.. I won't give away how I perceive my own writing but when you read it the story plays out according to your imagery I just direct it to its destination

[Lucy]

This was good :). Good job

[KeeD]

thank you sweety :)

[Lucy]

Sure

[MOON]

Poignant write , took me on a journey of pain and loss. Emtional you depicted this so well.

[KeeD]

Thank you Moon, there's no greater compliment than hearing you can take a reader on a journey just by the medium of words. Much respect.

[MOON]

Pleasure !

[CecilA]

Keegan,

The previous reviews say what's in my mind. I will only add that you allowed me to be this woman with your superb writing skill. I felt the intense desparate emotions of regret, remorse, love, fear, guilt, hope, desire, despair, horror, appreciation, pain, elation and release. It's exhausting.

I appreciate the opportunity to share in this woman's unfortunate death row experience including her demise. It makes me wonder if we have done enough in our societies to prevent this real life story from happening.

[KeeD]

I love that something I wrote could be so appreciated by a writer of your talent and skill, I'm truly honored to have you read and enjoy my work for it not only makes me feel immense happiness but also makes me want to continue to better myself at writing. Thank you for your kindness, i'm blessed to have friends like you on this site. Much love and respect, Kee

[rnuff]

Wow such an amazing deep write, kept me holding on all the way through.

[KeeD]

Thanks shorty, much respect! you've always reviewed my poems and been such a sweetheart about all of them even though they might not be to the standards of many of the great poets here as yet..but thanks to your kindness i'll make it there eventually :D and i'll have all you to thank and be by my side. :) xoox

[rnuff]

not a problem, everyone deserves a kind word, after all it's our heart and soul we put out there, that deserves kindness.

[KAOlmsted]

This is beautifully sorrowful...the music is haunting. Perfect. An amazing write, Kee. Amazing.

[KeeD]

Thank you so much Kimmers :D As always I wait for your reviews cause you tell it like it is and I appreciate your work a lot, much love, Kee.

[KAOlmsted]

My pleasure. And thank you; the feeling is mutual.

[TurtleClark]

many people dont realize that people on death-row have family and you really captured this womans feelings

[KeeD]

Many people don't know the complete story, agreed in this poem she might have not been completely innocent but the basis was she did it to keep her son alive and for that I respect her and thus I created such a piece to show respect to the single parent.