With Knife In Hand...

The judge was dressed in somber robes, The jury looked displeased. The room was hushed, all thoughts Were on the recently deceased. His body found across Their shared marriage bed, Where fresh white sheets Now are tainted red… With blood that flowed From knife-wound, slashed so wide, Pooling in the middle… Dripping from the sides. And the woman with the weapon Never tried to run away. She stood in shocked surprise To know it ended on this day. The torture of her life was dead And gone, but she was bound To pay the price When guilty she was found. She had not thought that some Would come to testify… Of her life of torment, Of his violence and his lies. But witness after witness, All came forth to share… To place the blame and burden On the dead one who would dare… With drunken shouts and anger, Fists and hurting hands… To steal both life and love… Dishonor all demands Of decency, and good things One seeks to find in men... Leaving only darkness, Heart blackened with his sin. She stands alone to hear the seal of fate. The judge reads silently, No matter what the verdict, She knows that she is free. A beam of sunlight takes her mind Out of this room… All sound fades As she readies for her doom… Then arms reach out to touch her, Happiness dawns deep inside… Tears flow as she hears the words, Not guilty… justifiable homicide. Her laughter frees the chains On her hearts door… Now opened to the joys of life And hope of love once more. Her man had lived and died, For good, he’d no pretense… Buried with him was her guilt, Beneath the words of self-defense.all comments and critiques welcomed Written March 18th, 2002 © on Mar 18 2002 12:30 PM PST   0 • 1