Here I lie a broken man
Haunted by thoughts of what I am
If I die today what words would pass
As my soul takes leave
Of cruelty or compassion
Of punishment, or reprieve
The sleeping beast of karma
Behold the broken sutra
Abyssal torment of the unknown
Strips my body of its essence
Breathe the stench of putrescence
Unknown legacies toil
Abandoned, decay, despoil
Redemption furtive in its last embrace
Disgrace
Changing face of a killer in a cold cell
An old man bound by his own hell
Redemption furtive in its last embrace
Flesh takes leave of mind
Reputation the last refuge of the willful blind
Thoughts unkind
Saints and tyrants, peace of death reminds
Of life, death reminds
Intrinsic anguish of the sight
Of one so cruel transformed in spite
Decades in darkness brought to light
Time's wrinkle smoothed, a last respite
