I was walking

along the river

When I arrived

at this iron gate

 

The thought of entering

came upon me

But then something

told me to wait

 

A strange feeling

soon took over

I felt the presence

of lives gone by

 

And then, I thought

I heard pleading

From a defeated man

begging to die

 

Release me

from this misery

Please, free me

from my despair

 

Why should I suffer

for your sins

Through this heavy cross

I bare

 

I heard the cracks

of bullwhips

I heard the screams

of immense pain

 

I started to enter

to offer some help

But again, I felt an impulse

to refrain

 

It was a feeling

of great contradiction

I felt my intervention

was in dire need

 

I heard the sounds

of rattling chains

The howling of men

pleading to be freed

 

Release me

from this misery

Please, free me

from my despair

 

Why should I suffer

for your sins

Through this heavy cross

I bare

 

I could no longer

handle the pleas

It tore me up inside

 

The more I heard

his agony

The more I wanted

to hide

 

As I heard and felt

this sadness

I decided to turn

and run away

 

As if there was nothing else

I could do

A decision that haunts me

to this day

 

Release me

from this misery

Please, free me

from my despair

 

Why should I suffer

for your sins

Through this heavy cross

I bare

 

©2026 Jeffrey Pipes Guice

Image: Oak Alley, Louisiana