Manslaughter First Degree

I stand and watch inside this prison gate,
Wondering how I got here, was this to be my fate?
I only did what any man would do,
While trying to protect his family from people like you.

All through life I kept my record clean,
I followed the laws I never made a scene.
Then one night I heard a noise in our house,
I went to investigate, thinking it was probably a mouse.

Then I came face to face with a man all dressed in black,
Taking stuff from my house and putting it in his sack.
Almost immediately my blood got hot,
We started to wrestle right on the spot.

He was fighting with all he had and so was I,
He was trying to kill me, but I wasn’t quite ready to die.
I picked up something from the floor and I hit him hard some where on his head,
I hit him maybe a little too hard cause now he’s dead.

They took me to court and charged me with manslaughter in the first degree,
They said he was a victim of circumstances, well what about me?
They said he had lost his job and was only trying to provide for his family,
And that it was okay what he had done to me.

So here I am behind these prison walls for at least ten years,
My wife and children now with no protection, the worst of my fears.
I have no remorse for what I’ve done,
My only regret was I didn’t have a gun.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Fraser Avatar
June 8, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Excellent poem Ronald, the words just run and run, until they hit the gun, awesome. It was starting to remind me of a poem i wrote called Human Rights to Humans Right, then yours took a twist with him being hit. I would appreciate your view on my poem above if you get a spare moment, kind regards>James
Guzzi Avatar
April 22, 2009 at 12:37 PM
and the sad thing is...#1 the law regarding this...defense of your home is different in every state 2# his only regret? Light & Love
 Avatar
March 29, 2009 at 4:13 AM
Wow! Total lack of justice here. You made me side with the narrator from the beginning. Well done. Thank you for sharing your talent with us and for your kind words on my poem. Blessings to you. Karen
Brailsford Avatar
March 28, 2009 at 7:42 PM
As a poet i have always written from my heart when i read your work of art a feeling of sincere crawled through my heart you used your feelings very well. Not all people that are locked away are bad.May peace be with you and your family. love always Anesha Brailsford
Gorelick Avatar
March 28, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Great piece...it reads like the truth and I'm sorely afraid that it is for some. Wonderful work. BG
Devonshire Avatar
March 28, 2009 at 11:58 AM
A grave injustice, Ronald. Homeowners should be allowed to protect their families and their property. It's mindboggling how people are sent to jail for this, but I know they are. You give us much to ponder!
De La Keur Avatar
March 28, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Very imaginative but all too real, its sad that things like this actually DO happen, I'm for you that its fiction..
Townsend Avatar
March 28, 2009 at 11:30 AM
This is so well written. You write it as though you have lived it. Very believeable because it seems in life this is all too often the case. Many times the victim of crime ends up paying the cost while the one comitting the crime is made out to be a hero or a saint. You are a wonderful writer. I look forward to reading more of your work. Smiles from Lolita
Wilson Avatar
March 28, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Hi Ronald I wonder how many people are in prison for doing the same thing. The law dosn't protect the householder only the burgler who should not have been there in the first place. A thought provoking write. God Bless. Leon
Bulger Avatar
March 28, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Oh Ron, this is very well written, the flow is extremely nice because it keeps the reader going on and on, not to mention common imagery, it pertains to real life situational bad, the ugly and quite oft the truth. If only we lived in a perfect world... but hey, then what would be the need for paradise I so desperately desire. :) Glad you found me here at the soup, I look forward to reading more of your work as time permits. Thanks for the much appreciated comments, sincerely, Lucinda
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