This Poem was Submitted By: Doug Shy On Date: 2002-01-29 22:25:32 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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His Last Meal

I might not have worried quite as much when my father stumbled home, or been as quick to bring him gin to keep his temper down. I might not have thrown my arms up when I saw the belt up high, but I would have had the radishes the grilled cheese and the pie. I might not have cursed my parents when they put me out the house at seventeen to live out in the frigid Southwest hills. I might not have robbed the churches or the schools to just get by, but I would have had the radishes the grilled cheese and the pie. I might never have broken into that old piano teacher’s place, and when I heard her stirring not have shot her in the face. I might not have stayed for dinner until the neighbors wondered why, but I would have had the radishes the grilled cheese and the pie. I might not have had a lawyer who was such a fucking mess that two of his other clients got their murder charge dismissed. I might not have told the police that I sorely wished to die, but I would have had the radishes the grilled cheese and the pie. I might not have lasted five years much less twenty on the row I might have looked for other more effective ways to go. I might not have spent my dead time writing poetry and plays. I might not have tried to make up for the error of my ways. I might never have accepted that my punishment was just and shunned all the crusaders who had taken up my case. I might not have foregone visitors when my last days were up. I might not have turned the priest away and refused his golden cup. I might not have whispered thank you when it came my time to die, but I would have had the radishes the grilled cheese and the pie. I would have had the radishes the grilled cheese and the pie.

Copyright © January 2002 Doug Shy

Additional Notes:
Stephen Wayne Anderson was executed this morning by lethal injection. He killed an 81 yr old piano teacher during a botched robbery, shot her in the face. He had been on death row for 20 years. He had become something of a poet in his time on the row, and you could read some of his works online at: http://poetry.about.com/library/weekly/aa012502c.htm His last meal consisted of radishes, two grilled cheese sandwiches, a pint of cottage cheese, hominy grits, a pint of chocolate chip ice cream, and a slice of peach pie.


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