Waiting

By

Bill Cottringer

Convicted of a dreadful crime,

Sentenced to 50 years,

Now waiting in his cell;

Done everything he could,

During these last 27 years,

All on his own, all by himself;

Only one misconduct report,

Finished every treatment program,

Self-corrected to perfection.

Now waiting anxiously in his cell.

For an earned dream to be free,

To finally come his way.

Plenty of good support,

From family and friends,

With nothing bad said;

Good record,

No priors,

No risk,

No corruption of his soul;

One problem though,

He’s too good to be true ,

From what they know,

Of past inmates,

Not ready for their release.

How will they decide?

Yes or No?

He will finally know, though,

Come next week;

His day of opportunity or danger—

Going free or staying locked up.

He was my friend 50 years ago,

Fighting a war that wasn’t one,

Know what I think?

He’s come full circle.

From good to bad,

Back to good again.

I pray this is what they see,

And he is finally set free.