Dear Governor, by Anthony Wright

Dear Governor,

I'm a black man from the ghetto--
got took for some other negro.
They say I stabbed and killed a child
they gave me the speediest trial.
Judge and jury were white as chalk
and they believed the white cop-talk.
Through the trial my lawyer slept--
I sat grimly; my children wept.
Lawyer was paid by this poor state
He didn't care about my fate.

I sit here in my dismal cell,
living--dying in man-made hell.
Every tortured breath I take,
during the day when I'm awake,
remind me I am doing time
for another's horrific crime.
He is out there, probably free
while I rot in my misery.
He is a threat to everyone
and will be even when I'm gone.

It's twenty years since I been free.
Kids have grown and forgotten me.
Only the words of those who hate
come in the mail to me of late.
Five days remain until my doom--
five more days of relentless gloom.
Hate needles, don't want to be stuck--
asked the warden to string me up.
Grandpa hanged by the Ku Klux Klan,
I'll also hang by some white man.

Parents would rather wish me dead
than wish the killer caught instead.
They trust the justice I received.
I know I'll never be reprieved--
at least not in this man-ruled land.
I await God's just and loving hand...
it is my hope...my only hope...
to live beyond the hangmans rope--
to be free, loved, and lose my fears--
to no longer shed these desperate tears.

But how could God let unjust men
lock the innocent in a pen?
My faith is weak but hope is strong
that right will triumph over wrong.
I gain nothing from this letter.
I'll see death, just hope it's better.
You've done well since your practice days
Best not sleep on a job that pays
Keep alert 'cause you know it's true
killer's next victim could well be you!

See you up or down there.

Meridian (172.201.39.237) -- Sunday, November 14 2004, 12:55 am

You talk real!
Now, this is what I like to read! Great job, bringing the emotions out! Because as sad as it may seem, injustice is one thing some people have to live with!
I'm real glad that you've joined this site!

Smiley face,
Meri

amwright (66.53.14.173) -- Sunday, November 14 2004, 05:37 am

Thanks
Thanks for the kind words.

Ben F (81.100.175.39) -- Sunday, November 14 2004, 11:55 am

stunning!
this was great,emotions flowed.
look forward to more.

Webster (4.250.51.99) -- Sunday, November 14 2004, 03:31 pm

Last words
The last words of a soon to die man, unjustly accused and sentenced are not to be taken lightly.
Straight talk - great!

joyce ivy (68.19.190.2) -- Sunday, November 14 2004, 04:17 pm

Great writing AMWRIGHT
this was great writing here..so much feeling here...loved your work...

Emilee (12.223.196.102) -- Monday, November 15 2004, 10:53 pm

wow
this was awesome! it flowed so well and i could feel the emotion! great job God Bless~emilee

Anthony Wright (66.53.12.85) -- Friday, November 19 2004, 05:04 am

Wow
I've never had so much support for my poems in my life. Thank you all. This has truely been a worthwhile site to post on. I am in great company with people who appreciate good poems...and even my poems. :)

Anthony Wright (66.53.12.85) -- Friday, November 19 2004, 05:07 am

For those who didn't catch it...
I know most of you are very sharp and good readers, but just in case you missed the irony in this poem, note that the poem is a letter to the governor who happened to be the same person who defended him at trial by sleeping 20 years before.

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