Untethered Poem by Gary Bernard

"Untethered"
His steps felt light in the fresh morning air as he walked into the courtyard
The sun blinded eyes unused to the bright light from above
The air so exhilarating as it filled lungs gasping for life
The ground below pushed him upwards after each step
The crowd waited quietly until they saw him coming
Now their boisterous behaviour exploded in cheers
The walk up the stairs heavy and plodding
Once at the summit, he saw their depraved eyes glaring at him
A man of the cloth asked him to pray - he declined and lifted his chin in defiance
The noose now tightened - his life in the hands of the bureaucrat
The floor gave way - his body now free from this earth he detested
swung silently except for the creaking noise of the rope against the wooden cross-like beam