I do not wish to die.

But tomorrow I will climb

the thirteen steps.

Please someone - answer me,

Why must I die come the morning?

The man imprisoned beside me

believed me. "Because they're

all insane, that's why," he said.

Of course I know his opinion

will change nothing. "Now you

know why I struck out at them,"

he muttered.

The man who was executed

yesterday, the one who had

said his job was to sell dreams,

said that was not true.

But the man who is to be executed

the day after tomorrow for stealing

children shouted back that it was

true.

The man who was hung today

did not answer. "They'll kill me

either way," he said. He was

caught embezzling public money,

so he hasn't any hope for mercy.

The man who is always quietly

smiling to himself said "I am

happy for I will soon be with her."

I do not wish to die.

I long only to return home.

But I know it is not to be.

Though I have done nothing, this

crime has been thrust upon me.

Someone save me. This is not

judgement. They are bloodthirsty

and I am their sacrificial lamb!