Emancipation Obfuscation

On Friday, August 19, 2011, Damien Echols, age 36, was suddenly released from death row, while Jason Baldwin (34) and Jessie Misskelley (36) were released from life imprisonment sentences, after spending half their lives in prison for murders to which they maintain their innocence. Their pleas allowed them to declare their innocence, while also requiring them to plead guilt in exchange for freedom.
Sometimes
Freedom
Doesn’t look like justice
Sometimes
Freedom
Looks
Like a man
On rooftop
Surrounded by love
Wind billowing through hair
As sun sets
Over
The mighty Mississippi
Sometimes
Freedom
Looks
Like a man
Filled with joy and wonder
Traversing
City streets
Declaring the secret to life:
Enjoy it!
Libre!
Sometimes
Freedom
Looks
Like a man
Simply returning
To life
As it was
As it should be
With family
And friends
Sometimes
Freedom
Doesn’t look like justice
Sometimes
Freedom
Looks
Like families weeping
Because they
Believe
Killers
Have been
Set
Free
Sometimes
Freedom
Looks
Like families weeping
Because they
Believe
Killers
Have yet
To be
Found
Sometimes
Freedom
Looks
Like a hug
From a friend
Who laid down
Pride
For your life
I am innocent
I plead guilty
Sometimes
Freedom
Doesn’t look like justice
Sometimes
Freedom
Looks
Like a sleight
or
A washing
Of hands
I am innocent
Of this man’s
Blood
Sometimes
Freedom
Looks
Like
A celebrity
Circus
Or
A Lifetime
Movie
Feature
Sometimes
Freedom
Looks
Like a soundbite
For a
Political
Stump speech
Kissing babies
And
Old ass
Sometimes
Freedom
Doesn’t look like justice
Sometimes
Freedom
Looks
Like a relationship
Years in the making
Yet
Starting
From
Scratch
The holding of hands
Sometimes
Freedom
Looks
Like words
On paper
Suddenly
Transformed
To face to face
Conversation
Breath intertwined
Sometimes
Freedom
Looks
Like arms
Wrapped
Around the reality
I am
Here
Life is
New
Sometimes
Freedom
Doesn’t look like justice
Sometimes
Justice
Just has to wait

Filed under: Just the Facts, Please! by barefootbohemian
1 Comment »