Eight by Ten World (poem) by Lisa Hilbers on AuthorsDen

Eight by Ten World
by Lisa Hilbers → (All Poetry by Lisa Hilbers)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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Eight by Ten World It's an eight by ten world, and I'm caught here in it's trap- Cold steel cells and glossy photos- with an aging mind and a warm wool wrap There's nothing here I want to own, your eyes they told the tale- One day they'll roll these prison doors- and I'll step into hell The lonesome gray hallway leads to nowhere- expressionless faces following the distance- Set me free; Set me free; From me there'll be no resistance Final steps, thoughts and meals, A Man of God, comes to call- a long black robe and collar of white- but no confessions, only silence falls Blistered tongues swell, throats restricted, nose bleeds on the floor- Set me free; Set me free; I can't stand living, anymore The sound of time, ticks away, moments are eternity's forever- Roll those doors and take the walk- down that darkened pathway to never Tears and gasps, breaths they hold, behind thin lips tightly sealed- Speak no prayers for this sinner's life- have no mercy, I can't be healed There's nothing here I want to own, for your eyes, they told the tale- One day they'll roll these prison doors; and I'll step into hell And so I did; I'm free at last; from the crete, and razor wire- I stepped from one eight by ten- into society's fire � Lisa Hilbers 5/4/05

Reviewed by Lori Moore

Reviewed on May 4, 2005

Wonderful poetry, Lisa.

Reviewed by SHERRY HEIM

I remember as I watched the movie "Shawshank Redemption", a prisoner who had been locked up for a very long time saying that every person in that prison swore that they were innocent. I think that these prisoners hold on to the thinking that perhaps someone will finally believe them and set them free. The reality is that we should not keep them on death row so long. We need to either cancel their death sentence or issue them a speedy death. This poem is so alive that I could feel the cold concrete and smell the stench of impending death hanging in the air. You did an amazing job on this, Lisa. I didn't want to think of him as a human, I guess that is what makes it easier to commit him to death, but you forced me to see him as a man, perhaps an evil man, but a man none the less. This made me think about how he was going to die and wonder if it is right or wrong, too harsh or too simple. What was his crime? If I could see the faces of those he murdered, perhaps I could feel that justice was being served. It is a thin line for me. I wonder if his death serves those he killed or if it is just a way of trying to deter others from murdering. Should he die? Perhaps so, but keeping him on death row for so many years is wrong for a multitude of reasons. Excellent story/poem, Lisa.
Take care,
Sherry

Reviewed by Felix Perry

This covers the topic sp well and it's funny you picked this topic to muse over cause I had a dream the other night that I was a condemned prisoner. Coincidence or my muse talking to yours? Either way your stark imagery burns into the brain,
Felix

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)

corporal punishment, Sue? Naw, most of them don't think that way, if they did they wouldn't keep trying to get the state to pospone the execution.

Reviewed by Sue Hess

great poem on corporal punishment, i think men left too long on death's row probably feel this way when they finally take that walk.

Reviewed by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado

well done, lisa! enjoyed; thanks for this offering!

Reviewed by Kate Clifford (Reader)

Unique write full of emotions that can be somewhat disturbing. Great write!

Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner

Lisa,

You bring the reader into that eight by ten world vividly and powerfully. Excellent!

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. :(

Reviewed by E T Waldron

You never cease to amaze! Great work Lisa!

en ami Alisha