I Surrender

It is too late once I see
A white flag waves behind me
I look out with an unseeing stare
I raise my hands into the air

I Surrender

The battle is done
But we have not won
The dead or nearly-dead lay strewn
On this hot and dusty afternoon

I Surrender

Families of those I hurt cry
Their pain renewed as I ride by
I feel their hate burning into my back
I show no emotion, my face does not crack

I Surrender

The trial ends quick
The jury ignoring the lawyer’s half-assed shtick
The verdict comes, a hanging in the square
I close my eyes, “No surprises there.”

I Surrender

I look over the mob urging my plight
When a familiar face I happen to sight
An immature love, our gazes meet
She breaks first, and hurries down the street

I Surrender

I stand on air, the rope goes taut
I stretch for ground, but all for naught
I stop fighting the rope, embracing my destiny
To Heaven or Hell, whichever will take me

I Surrender

This was so good...melancholy, but of course that was the idea. The tone was absolutely perfect and the last two lines of the final stanza were flawless. This is one of the best poems I've read in a while.