Electric Chair

The clanging of keys reverberates through the hallway,
As heavy steps approach my cell.
The guard escorts me down the hall, the priest in tow.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

My freshly shaved head drips with sweat as the hour approaches.
I concentrate on my last steps,
my last movements,
my last breaths.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.

I see the chair looming ahead,
A menacing giant waiting to consume me.
It’s hungry and I’m a helpless field mouse.
He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the path of righteousness for his name's sake.

The leather straps bind me tight,
like the grasp of a falcon on innocent prey.
Dozens of eyes stare back at me through a sheet of glass.
It is all that separates me and freedom.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Reciprocity should not apply,
when a human life is at stake.
Isn’t life in a cage and the guilt of it all,
Bad enough?
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Shock through my veins,
as I think my last thought.
To answer my own question,
I guess not.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.