I was a sad man…

• February 6, 2003
• James Skemp
• prose

• I was a sad man when they buried him in the cold depths.
• I was a sad man when they gave me the flag that my brother had rightly fought for.
• I was a sad man when they dug up his grave on a hot June night.
• I was a sad man when they caught them fools that tried to steal my brother's ring.
• I was a sad man when they put them in jail, instead of putting them in a loop.
• I was a sad man when they escaped with the help of their friends.
• I was a sad man when they came and said that there was little more that they could do.
• I was a sad man when they happened upon my path that night.
• I was a sad man when they shot me twice with the very guns of two freshly dead.
• I was a sad man when they didn't see me fall, with my belly full of lead.
• I was a sad man when they had that look upon their face as I dug their place.
• I was a sad man when they arrested me for the murder of two foolish men.
• I was a sad man when they sentenced me with their mortal court.
• I was a sad man when they brought me to this place.
• I was a sad man when they kept me alive in this cell.
• I was a sad man no more when they buried me in the cold depths on a hot June night...