I did not wake up today
With a gnawing fear or dread
To mark this day as special
Or important in any way.
No forewarning of doom tugged
At the back of my mind. The
Sun rose plain and calm, and
Shed no extra light upon me
As I started to work, clearing
And ploughing some land.
Around noon, as my back and
Arms began to ache for a rest
I saw the men come walking
Towards me. I did not notice
Until they were quite close
The hatred in their eyes, or
The rope they carried with them.
My struggles were brief, due
To the axe handle they used to
Beat me with. I think they
Broke my arm, but I'm not
Sure, and it really doesn't
Matter now anyway. They
Pushed me and kicked me
Down the road, and the whole
Time they were yelling about
Some ***** ****** who stole a
Pig from the Johnson farm
The night before. I tried,
Oh how I tried, to tell them it
Wasn't me, but they just kept
On, shouting and hitting.
When the noose went around
My neck, I began screaming.
They didn't hesitate one bit.
They just threw the other end
Of the rope over a fat branch
On a maple tree, and hauled
Me up. I don't remember dying.
I think I passed out first.
I'm not sure. And it really doesn't
Matter now anyway. I haven't seen
God yet, but when I do, I'm
Going to ask Him why? Just, why?
Just, Why?!Why?!Why?!Why?!Why?!
I really do not see, how He
Can give me an answer
That is good enough.