Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, JACK KNUCKLES FALTER, by KENNETH FEARING


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

JACK KNUCKLES FALTER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: But reads own statement at his execution
Subject(s): Trials


JACK KNUCKLES FALTERS
(But Reads Own Statement at His Execution
While Wardens Watch)
HAS LITTLE TO SAY
Gentlemen, I
Feel there is little I
Care to say at this moment, but the reporters have urged
that I
Express a few appropriate remarks.
THANKS WARDEN FOR KINDNESS
I am grateful to Warden E. J. Springer for the many
kindnesses he has shown me
in the last six months,
And I also wish to thank my friends who stuck by me to the
last.
As one who entered his nation's defense
STAGGERS WHEN HE SEES ELECTRIC CHAIR
Five days after war was declared, I was hoping for a pardon
from the governor,
But evidently the government has forgotten its veterans in
their moment of need.
What brought me to the chair
WILL RUMANIAN PRINCE WED AGAIN?
Was keeping bad companions against the advice of my
mother and companions.
How I
WISHES HE COULD HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE
Wish I could live my life over again. If I
Could only be given another chance I would show the world
how to be a man, but I
"I AM AN INNOCENT MAN," DECLARES KNUCKLES
Declare before God gentlemen that I am an innocent man,
As innocent as any of you now standing before me, and the
final sworn word I
POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION CLINCHED KNUCKLES
VERDICT
Publish to the world is that I was framed. I
Never saw the dead man in all my life, did not know about
the killing until
BODY PLUNGES AS CURRENT KILLS
My arrest, and I
Swear to you with my last breath that I
Was not on the corner of Lexington and Fifty-ninth Streets
at eight o'clock.
SEE U.S. INVOLVED IN FISHERY DISPUTE
EARTHQUAKE REPORTED IN PERU





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