A Convict Is On the Loose

A Convict on the Loose By Elton Camp It was eight o’clock and we’d settled for the night But little traffic was passing so our street was quiet One of our favorite movies was just about to begin When Eye Witness News abruptly came breaking in “It’s a serious announcement that we interrupt to tell. A convicted murderer has just broken out from his cell. He was seen heading for the residential neighborhood, He has sworn that to escape he’d do anything he could.” The newsman explained he was dangerous and armed And that, while escaping, two people he had harmed “We don’t want too much the public to disconcert, But everyone should remain cautious and on alert.” My wife and then exchanged some worried glances “I’ll check the doors. There’s no use taking chances.” The doors were locked and all seemed secure to me So I walked back to the family room to watch TV The old movie had just barely gotten underway When a noise at the door a presence did betray The unexpected sound made me cringe with fear After dark, nobody to our house should come near It’s got to be the evil criminal they warned about. Of that scary fact, I didn’t have the least doubt To the door it would be extremely foolish to go I felt a sense of total terror beginning to grow I lifted the receiver and quietly dialed 911 “Send a policeman to our house on the run! It’s just awful how dangerous this is sounding. As on our back door a vicious man is pounding.” Very soon, there was a siren and a flashing light Outside our door we heard yelling and a fight A bullhorn called, “We have caught the crook. Now please come on outside and take a look.” On the ground, hands cuffed behind his back, Was our next door neighbor, young Joe Black The man was angrily cursing and having a fit “To warn of danger I came. This is what I get.”