"Pantoum for a Scapegoat" by Hiram McDaniels

 Note from the author: a pantoum is a poetic style where lines are repeated. But this isn't really a proper pantoum since I changed some words and the order..

I leaned on the railing the night that you lied.

The porch bulb swung gently, a spark still inside.

A sallow-winged moth, entranced by the sight,

Meandered in fruitless pursuit of the light.

The porch swing swung gently. A spark stilled inside me.

Who knew now what other foul truths you denied me?

I stalked off in fruitless pursuit of the light.

The doubt of you followed me into the night.

I knew now there were other truths you’d denied

As the shovel and pickaxe I deftly applied.

Not even you followed me into the night.

You just clutched at the porch-swing and said they were right.

The pick and the spade having been well-applied,

A dark plastic sheet in the earth I espied.

I clutched at the handle and knew they were right.

The truth of it tore at my heart like a bite.

A dark wrapped-up shape in the sheet I espied.

My hands with its dust, red and flaking, were dyed.

You warn with no bark. You’ve a deadlier bite.

Then, floodlights and sirens, all blindingly bright.

A sallow-winged moth burned up at the sight

Of floodlights and sirens, all blindingly bright.

My hands with your sin, red and blatant, were dyed.

I hung by the neck for the night that you lied