The View Before Death Poem by Melissa Hurst

Tis a dark day,
a day where the sun
said its goodbye yesterday.
The moon shone luminous
as a sign of goodnight as my
eyes closed for the usual and last
temporary slumber.

Tis a damning way,
my feet want to take
no more steps across
this trestle that leads
to the execution grounds.
The strong wind is shoving
me along.
My God, you too forgive me not?

My eyes turned toward
those rolling hills
and busy streets I adored.
My friends are off in the distance.
Their heads hanging low,
reminding me of the brutality
that awaits.
I see their handkerchiefs covering their mouths
in such disbelief.
I see them shaking from weeping.
They cry for me, they lied for me!

My accusers push me along
and the oncoming wall
will block all that I have ever known
and loved.
No! O, my Lord in Heaven, No!
The men who await me
are servants of Death!
Their fingers rest on their triggers
and my heart loses its rhythm.
One walks over to me
with a black covering.

I shake my head
in desperation.
My brows feel
the dark silk
and my eyelids fight
to keep it from my eyes.
Death has become unpredictable
and unseen.
My weeping is muffled
and my tears make my face sweat.
'Ready men! '
'One, two, FIRE! '
The bullets of fate
have punctured this flesh.
But, they do not blast through to
my soul!