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