A Bad Man Was...

A badman was hanged this morning
How bad no one may ascertain; His
Charge: crime against humanity
Fits for purpose of law to degree
For his friends and foes alike, an onus
That the executed man shall carry
Till Doomsday when he will need
Explain the simple matter of murder:
Whether one or million, bad is the deed.

A badman was hanged this morning:
Neither by birth nor by virtues was he
To honor and praise so well disposed.
Such honor as his, dispensed by man
For reasons neither here nor there we
May pass over; ‘Unformed was he
But with power others to their will bent’;
If power corrupts must he be so held
For rope- an ignominious end?

A badman was hanged this morning
His crimes most foul, not one he said
Was done by him in personal capacity.
Decrees presidential are valid: ‘I was
Committed to serve by oath to do no less.’
Men, women and infants gassed or shot
Didn’t happen at random but in his name
Day after day; With such a bloody blot
Who but a badman ask: ‘Am I to blame?’

benny