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At A Tavern, After Difficult Work
Hail Friend, well met: yes, time to start the drinking.
Perhaps that will brighten my gloomy thinking,
and bring a smile instead of this grim frown.
The duty roster set an execution
for some old convict (Simon was his name).
He begged us, "Crucify me upside down."
He said he was not worthy to be killed
the same way someone he called Jesus was.
A change of pace is nice---so we fulfilled
his last request to be, at least, polite.
He screamed while I drove nails into his wrists
and feet. He died a little after night
fell, as the Tiber brought forth swriling mists.
This is the first time I have felt hot shame
after such work---not the desired conclusion.
Perhaps all this can be squashed by a buzz.
Starward
[jlc]
