Kill the Man

I only pulled the trap door lever

Executing another’s command

Hands off system; very clever

–Soul and body soon severed–

But I did not kill the man

 

I only built the scaffold high

Crafted from another’s plans

Done so that a man may die

–Mine’s not to ask why–

But I did not kill the man

 

I ordered what the jury saw fit

Solemnly stated from their stand

Put down in legal writ

–Officious wisdom infuses it–

But I did not kill the man

 

We only reflect society’s mask

Obey society’s demand

Only did what the people asked

–Our civic duty, civil task–

But we did not kill the man

 

Sudden crunch as rope snaps taut

–Other lives torn asunder–

But…

 

We did not kill the man.

–William Martin