Austin, Texas,1995-2000 Poem by Percy Dovetonsils

'During his tenure, Bush signed the execution warrants for more death row inmates than any other Governor in the history of Texas, averaging a death every nine days.' -Wikipedia

I'm trying to imagine
George
conferring with Alberto
about another candidate
for execution.
What is Alberto really saying?
'Go ahead, kill him
or her.
Don't make no
never mind to me
if he's blind, halt,
retarded, crazy, innocent,
a woman, or all of the above:
I give this death
my blessing
and the people of Texas
will thank you, too,
for this sacrifice
made uptop
the statehouse dome,
the glinting obsidian knife
slicing the still beating heart
from the convict's chest
and you, George, the governor,
dressed in the killer's skin,
holding the heart aloft
for all to see and know.
It's the only way
to go.'