Short Shift Betrayal

Poem for contest: Short Shift, prison, betrayal, dance, death, death of a friend, destiny,, food, Short Shrift Betrayal! Governor's out to dine and dance With important guests who count Invitation requested to attend One five star restaurant uptown Menu fair is set for seven courses Savannah cigars and vintage wine Will be served before and after meals All timed for 10:00 and well before Midnight when a dance is to be staged Toasts before and after dinner is a given One guest of the Governor's will not attend Unless the invitation to get away arrives But he is in for a special treat if not An execution dinner has been prepared Prison chef does his five star best to comply To the wishes for this last dinner course Of just roast turkey with all the trimmings Provided with paper hats and prizes gifted In a traditional Christmas wrapped cracker And all this sent below at 10:00 right on the dot To be eaten in plenty of time before the ‘last call’ When this prisoner becomes the Governor's guest To ‘walk the line’downtown into a cold lit private room Made of steal to sit in the 'chair'at midnight Where electrocution will make him dance his last And his last words will be I'm innocent!