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In Memory of Gary Graham



He went not quietly into night-

As  Tim had done, - but raged aloud and cried,-

He fought against restraining straps like mad

While they subdued him on his ghastly bed.



Cold to the guiltless man's protesting  scream

(only one witness's evidence had been seen)

But none did stop the ghoulish enterprise,

Based on a single witness's crafty lies.



And Gary's scream most callous hearts did rent

Pray mercy! - mercy!-, I am innocent!

But there was none to  intervene, nor freeze

The eager signing of death warranties.



Gurneys serve well instead of chair or tree

Land of the free - you heard of clemency?

Nor appointee nor Governor intervened

I only ask, - you be the judge- who sinned?



And Tucker Carla years in prison spent,

Like Caryl Chessman,- turned into a saint.

But vengeful satisfaction does vacate

The victim status and obliterate

Deep sorrow's value supernatural

Degraded to irreverential

Death viewing,-spying for the final breath

And pacified by nothing less than death.



By far too late did change her view the Church

Who long left the condemned men in the lurch-

Pro-Lifers, much impassioned, staunch but fickle

Don't give for death-row agonies a nickel.

But 'mongst these blessed sheep, or some prelate

Perhaps is hid a "mill-stone" candidate.



Equivocators call them " Processes"-

And a "Facility" the house of death.

They speak in code, thus is it fair and right?

I've nought to say,- the Jury does decide.



But while we debate hotly they'll fetch

From death-row yet another hapless wretch;

Behind thick plexiglass there may be seen

Ill-fated chaps with dark or olive skin,



Who will defend them?  no-one ever wept

About their sorry past, - their lawyers slept!

Woe Alabama, Huntsville and Terre Haute!

Where judges do as Pilate once had done

Washing sleek hands and rolling up the sleeves.

As do compassionate conservatives.



Injections done, the death team wraps it up;

Cleans up- job done-  and goes to dine and sup

The drunkard lawyers go to watch TV,

And for their "services" collect a fee.



With China's zeal we need no longer spar

We are with them, now almost on a par.

Smug politicians fearing:"He's soft on crime"!

Will not allow for justice needed time

For the :"he's soft on crime"!  they duck or roll

Or sell the leaky vessel of their soul.

Oh Human Rights, - land of the brave and free

Bear out these claims for all the world to see!