Joyce Johnson Poet Rhyme

Wrongfully Imprisoned

His word against the witnesses. The jury must decide.
Whom to believe, the question. They voted he had lied.
Locked up behind steel bars, to be left there for his life,
He lost those he left behind, his children and his wife.

He professed his innocence.  His denials never wavered.
Whenever he made an appeal, it was stamped unfavored.
At long last he quit trying, accepting his sad fate.
He tried only to stay sane, not to be consumed by hate.

He wished they’d executed him in dreaded electric chair.
Dying would be much better than this life so hard to bear.
After twenty years, his innocence was proven by DNA.
It was an aged and broken man who was set free that day.
He left with his few possessions but he didn't know to where.

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Carol Sunshine Brown November 14, 2012 at 5:58 AM Congratulations on your placement in Susan's "Wrongful Imprisonment" contest Joyce. Love, Carol

Isaiah Zerbst November 12, 2012 at 9:40 AM This poem captures the sadness of the situation, the dreadful feeling he had of knowing he was innocent, yet still condemned... Nice write.

Len Gasun November 12, 2012 at 1:38 AM Congratulations on your awesome win my dear friend, Joyce! love/hugs, Leonora

Poet Destroyer A November 11, 2012 at 10:34 AM Good morning, Joyce :-) Congratulations in Susan's "Wrongful Imprisonment or Sentenced " contest, deep subject... always~ PD

Andrea Dietrich November 11, 2012 at 10:32 AM this happens more often than we would like, Joyce, You told it well with this winning poem. Congratulations to you.

Linda-Marie Sweetheart November 10, 2012 at 7:08 PM CONGRATS JOYCE ONCE AGAIN ON A BRILLIANT WRITE AND WIN LUV ..

Seren Roberts November 10, 2012 at 10:58 AM well done, well written...Seren

Bukang Liwayway October 11, 2012 at 10:58 PM oh..teary-eyed while reading this..yes, there's a lot of people in jail who really innocent. i interviewed some in maximum security prison this year... :( well-done poem friend Joyce..good luck in the contest :) hugs!!

Lucilla Carrillo October 11, 2012 at 9:36 PM Joyce; this is very well written and so sad, that a lot of inocent people have gone to prison, or even been excecuted. Thanks for sharing this with us. Lucy

Ilene Bauer October 11, 2012 at 6:51 PM an excellent poem about a very sad situation. i always hate to read something like this - how can society ever repay someone for those lost years? you've done a fine job of bringing the story to light.