Hell On The Border

Judge Isaac C. Parker was the famous hanging judge of Arkansas from 1875 to 1896.  Of the 160 (156 men and four women) he sentenced to death by hanging, seventy-six were actually hanged during his time on the bench. These are the gallows and how they look today.

The Hanging Judge

The gallows called to outlaws

as they walked before the judge

He took no quarter

did what he did and judged.

With quicksilver

judgement

 his wooden gavel banged

It was quite irregular

to not be hanged.

If you didn't meet the gallows

to wear the hanged man's tie

You might become invisible

If you really tried.

Not bad for twenty-seven years

Three hundred forty-four capitol cases

Only seventy-six were hanged

creeping tears weren't uncommon 

on the bad guys' faces

For Delores's Wednesday's Words

Under The Porch Light

Wednesday's Words

from Under The Porch Light.  Today she gave us two sets of six words to inspire our creativity and include them in a creative work of sorts.  I thought, why not?  Then I couldn't just use six!  I had to include them all.  I don't follow instructions well. Thanks, Delores, for the fun prompt.

PRAYING FOR A HERO

Creeping
invisible
with an impending
sense of
gallows doom

One silver tear
sliding down
merely a flicker
across her chiseled face
beauty unmarred

Quieting
irregular breathing
she scanned the desolate
arid landscape
expecting trouble

Praying for a hero