One Last Thing (A Letter Poem)

written for a friend at another poetry site....

ONE LAST THING

(A Letter Poem)

Dearest Bernadette,

This letter, won't reach you in time, but we on the men's side want you to know, we will miss you. We will miss the way you held your head high as you walked along the fence. No shame, or remorse (maybe you did have some, but thank you for never letting it show, at least not in front of them).

Bernadette, we wanted to tell you how you gave us strength; how your story (we got it smuggled in piece by piece) broke our hearts and was, in so many ways, our story as well. We felt the pain of your brothers loss, his anger as he burned down the church - we would have done the same (some of us even wanted to dance with those flames); the celebration of joy of no god realization and heart felt revenge.

We cried at the rape and the anger expressed in the wonton murder of those 2 boys, some of us here have done the same. We understood the view - it's our internalized version of what this country does globally - raping other countries for its minerals and oil; slaughtering hundreds of thousands, even million in the name of "democracy", "free trade" and "the American Way". Yet, none of these murderers ever face death row..

No Bernadette, we have no pity, we look not above or below, but meet you eye to eye, with love and respect. For in you we see a comrade-in-crime, an outlaw. And yet at your core, like us, a human being.

Good-bye Bernadette, our sister, we love you. We will remember you always. We have put our Free Bernadette signs, along with tokens, flowers, teddy bears (even a small bird cage with the door wide open, honoring your nickname and your freedom), pictures and even some poems, at the fence where you once stood. 

And finally, one last thing, we will read this letter every year on your execution day in rememberance of you.

~~redzone and the men from the State Penitentiary 3.10.11 

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

WOW, the emotions in this one are so real, Curt. You are a staunch supporter of women...you always have been. I remember those Bernadette poems...and how powerful they were. Who is this Riverz creature who "reviewed" your write, Curt. Certainly not "nice" and certainly uncalled for! Thank you for staying here and for continuing to post the amazing work you do. Lydi**

[redzone]

He left another 'review' on another poem i wrote. He hasn't posted any poems and seems to be the one stalking others .. read what he said on my poem The Bureau.

[Riverz]

whoa, . one of the most paltry things i've read here

try posting it at the other site, or save your embarrassment and keep it to yourself bcoz I think yer one of those needy-greedy writers that suck up to other wanna be's just to help you stay awake

you won't like this review. but that doesn't mean it isn't tru ...............

[redzone]

what do you know an arshole who doesn't even know the stupidity that comes out his mouth... I don't think you would know "the truth" if it smacked you upside the head... too bad "Bernadette" isn't here, she would laugh you right outta town... oh, thanks for your comment and I did post at another site a few years ago, seems they have better taste than you do..