Statutory Sentence

"When the true criminals are running around free, the only honorable place for a decent human being is in prison." - Thoreau

I've lived pestilence.

Breathed damnation.

Wept blood.

Afloat on the River Styx.

My very soul enduring forty licks.

I've swum with sharks.

Warmed myself with Hell's sparks.

Lived through a nuclear winter.

Clinging to hope's splinter.

Why does my existence exact such a toll?

My cost slapping against the jagged rocks of life's shoal.

Tormented.

Like Thoreau, transcendented.

I've done inescapable time in Alcatraz.

My soul incarcerated whereas.

With saints and sinners alike.

A long and lonely hike.

I've bunked with Jack Squat.

Bold truth I sought.

Chain gang.

Legal slang.

Bracelets and cuffs.

Roads that ride rough.

Judge's gavel slamming my pride.

Open wide.

Incapable.

Spirit shapable.

Standing over society's bucket, I've peed.

Holding fast to my creed.

To hope and redemption I need.

I've visited solitary confinement's pergatory.

I just pray to almighty God it's not the end of the story ...

Author's Note

"Why the jailer does not leave open his prison doors,-- why the judge does not dismiss his case, -- why the preacher does not dismiss his congregation! It is because they do not obey the hint God gives them, nor accept the pardon which he freely offers to all." - Thoreau

Reviews

[barleygirl]

This poem features some of your most startling & interesting rhymes! I love the way you don't fall back on the standard rhyming sounds, instead crafting each of your poems with a fresh approach to the rhymes. You have a definite & recognizable style, but NOT to the point where anything you write ever sounds the same, over & over. Given my history, I can relate to your message, that life can feel punishing, but for the faith we can conjure up from the pardon in your authors note (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

thank you Margie. wrote this one just a little while back. i love your take on it and appreciate you stopping in as always my friend ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

You pen with strokes of genius that should be engraved somewhere for all to see. I bet Thoreau himself would be impressed!

[Pete]

thanks Kelly. i remember the first time i read him - it just clicked and made sense to me deep inside like nothing else ever had. (doubt i'm even fit to fill his pen with ink though). resonates like Keats to you friend. the ability of their words to live on and touch us so deeply is a true literary miracle ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

A literary miracle, indeed! High five, Pete!

[Fran Marie]

Seems the only escape to what life deals out on a daily basis ..is death
Itself..there is no escape..no justice .. there just isn't.
.very well penned and expressed

[Pete]

a difficult thing to accept. must keep looking towards the sky which cannot lie. thank you for sharing kind thoughts Fran Marie ... :)

[andrew mitchell]

There is no justice in this world and there are stark reminders! Nice writing Pete.

[Pete]

thanks andrew. getting harder to tell who the real criminals are ... :)