Notes About The Poem
For the Deathbed Poetry Contest of Daniel Henry Rodgers
James French, the Criminal who Argued for His Death
There was a man, most infamous, named James French.
As a mere child, he stabbed a man he thought
was flirting with his mother. Later he
tried burning down a school house, but then got caught.
I read with interest of this criminal
whose history I wish I knew far better.
He’d asked for hypnosis to understand
the way he was, and sent many a letter.
No matter, he was given no replies.
Three times to mental hospitals he went,
but always Mr. French they claimed was sane
till murder had him to a prison sent.
It was the 60’s, and in Oklahoma
(in fact in all the U.S) there was a stalemate
on whether to have death sentences or not.
James’ request for death would not abate.
Twice his sentences for death got overturned.
At trial three, James pleaded for the chair.
Denied execution, he killed a cellmate
who’d angered him; he then got what was fair!
His death by execution thus got scheduled,
and he became the last one of his time
to get electrocuted like he wanted
because he fought to get death for his crime.
He said he died for his beliefs (not murder).
Under his circumstance, I find that oddly wise.
Though not exactly his last words, James told the press
his last words he would say would be “French Fries.”
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