25 to Life

25 to life. That's what the lawyer told me Across from a silent child and a weeping wife either side of me, as I discussed my plea 25 to life. That's what the court gave me The hammer struck on my heart's demise I retained my dignity, bar the tears in my eyes 25 to life. The Warden reminded me Stood us in a line, pacing along Stern voice of eternal authority 25 to life. My heart sank inside of me In this concrete box, for now and forever It was now that I envied so much as a beggar 25 to life. The canteen queue around me This wasn't home, this meal wasn't my own My home was in the bed where my wife wept alone 25 to life. There was a message for me She'd jumped off a building Child in arms as the concrete flew up to greet her 25 to life. No more family visits for me No more family No more Jason, no more Marie 25 to life. I couldn't escape it, hanging over me Hanging around my neck, all but ending me Now I sat wishing I'd attempted to flee 25 to life. Heh, we'll see 25 years is too much for me How much worse can 'life' really be? 25 to life. The answer, now clear in my head I know what I want now I know I am dead 25 to life. In the canteen, I am sat once again The ketchup-stained knife now against my neck I close my eyes. I am already dead.