Upon the gallows hung a wretch

by Emily Dickinson · (no date)
Published 01/07/1880

      Too sullied for the hell

To which the law entitled him.

      As nature's curtain fell

The one who bore him tottered in,

      For this was woman's son.

''T was all I had,' she stricken gasped;

      Oh, what a livid boon!

#capital punishment #death #emily dickinson #existential dread #injustice #maternal grief

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