The Killing

a poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

They have got him now,
strapped him to a bed behind a one way glass screen,
giving him a lethal injection.
We, who have lost loved ones
because of his murderous actions want our revenge
and this is the moment.
He lifts his head from the pillow
and scan the room he can’t see,
blank eyes give us nothing;
no screaming or begging for mercy!
Head falls back on the pillow,
breathes heavily
and then he is still.
Show over we file out empty handed
our retribution gave us nothing but sadness.