The Eleventh Hour Poem by Charlie Parant

“ an eye for an eye, ” their battle cry
a death row inmate waits to die
nothing left to do but wait
one last hour to contemplate

as rich, old men decide your fate
vigil persists outside the gate
the men in robes deliberate
there’s nothing more they can debate

statement issued, conviction stands
your fate’s in someone else’s hands
the Governor could intervene
but as of yet has not been seen

protesters continue chanting
witnesses have been recanting
saying they had been coerced
their testimony was rehearsed

eleventh hour, a statement read
the prisoner is pronounced dead
proponents let out muffled cheers
supporters breaking down in tears