Execution - Collaboration

Despair of spectres whispered, John heard it muttered
Fears spoken, centuries of shame sunk into stone
Hanging tree hoisted him, feet above ground fluttered
Rope bound neck bulged, blood starved eyes shuttered

Aghast, entertainment starved spectators absorbed gore
Under his breath they heard it uttered, 
" I am among the lowliest, and the last"
Sentiment collected by authorities,  soon to outlaw
Heinous hangings of criminals and martyrs

Testiment to the cruelty, trademark of cessation 
Clouds of purest doves spun above the atrociousity
Tyburn' s turbulent history viewed at Marble Arch 
Has John's pledge to thank for returning compassion 




14th September 2020 

For:    Line Gauthier 's Contest
Tyburn Collaboration max. 14
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Ranaweera  Avatar
October 12, 2020 at 4:34 PM
Congratulations, Sigrid, on your great win for your excellent piece with vivid imagery and powerful words!!
Kauffman Avatar
October 12, 2020 at 10:52 AM
Powerful words and images poetically delivered, Sigrid. Sometimes we truly are ghoulish in our desire to see deathly spectacles - like watching executions or standing on hills above battlefields. Congratulations on your deeply moving poem my friend. On a positive note - executing harvest blessings for you!
Kavanagh  Avatar
September 14, 2020 at 12:21 PM
We are indeed cruel and also kind creatures Sigrid, love the scene of purest doves above the spectacle, you bring a beautiful exonerating dichotomy, to the hanging wretches below, cheers David
Ermine Avatar
September 14, 2020 at 2:43 PM
Thank you for reading, David.
Woodrow Avatar
September 13, 2020 at 7:20 PM
wow! you took the form she used and made it a place where humans can hang their heads in shame...there is a little town in the foothills here that still likes to advertise its nickname of 'hang town' - bloody sickening but the leaders like that it will attract more tourists! so sad ... I don't think I will view the Tyburn form ever the same after this write...prolly avoid it altogether now! :)
Ermine Avatar
September 13, 2020 at 10:05 PM
Oh wow, capitalising on a putrid past.... Hang Town. I'm honestly not sure if Line meant this city for poem topic. I googled, and took a a very rough premis away. Thanks for commenting, Susan.
Laurie Avatar
September 13, 2020 at 6:53 PM
Hello Sigrid … through the ages, humans have been a murderous bunch and found glee in an execution. Lucky it’s not like that now! Yeah, right - Thank you Sigrid - Lindsay
Ermine Avatar
September 13, 2020 at 10:01 PM
That got a laugh. Certainly, it appeals to the macabre. Very loud warnings to potential offenders.
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