the farewell party

my old friend
who wasn't all that bad,
but
a criminal at heart. He
stands now on the hatch door
of the gallows.
the noose around his neck.
someone says a prayer.
his family cries
for him. a man of cloth says
a few mumbled words
in his defense, or something.
his hands
are behind his back,
tied tightly.
his legs together, rope
around his ankles
to keep him from flailing
once he begins to swing.
but he looks fine.
he looks at peace.
i think for a moment that he'll
get out of this too.
but no.
he sees me in the crowd
and smiles, nods his head,
he winks his wink.
the black hood drops over
his head, then
down he goes. down he
goes.