I peeked through blinds and looked outside.
The dismal scene proved she had lied.
She'd told me that the streets were clear;
no cops outside to cause me fear.
I saw a cruiser down the street;
the officer was packing heat.
I touched my gun and got a chill;
of violence, I'd had my fill.

The lady there was such a mess.
Her nerves were adding to my stress
I asked her for some simple food,
and coffee that would help my mood.
Intending to release her soon,
I ate my oatmeal with a spoon.
She tried to stab me with a knife,
but still I wouldn't take her life.

I gulped the coffee down so fast,
and thought about the recent past.
The cops gave up and drove away;
at least I thought they went that way
A loud knock banged upon the door.
She promptly fainted on the floor.
I heard their voices in the hall,
the lock then moved; I heard their call.

They broke the lock; came charging in.
I put the gun against her chin.
"I'll shoot if you don't let me go",
but she was dead; they let me know.
So now I had a murder rap.
I didn't really need this crap.
I took the gun and shot my head,
and slumped across the sofa bed.
It turned out she was still alive,
and she and I would both survive.

I did my time and in five years,
still paralyzed; I faced my fears
My life would never be the same.
Ex-con became my new first name.