by Al Cleveland of the Ohio Four
12:30am • 2-25-26

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I see the board soon, but I’m wondering if I should attend the hearing,
Because I could plead my heart out till I’m blue in the face and they just be looking like, “Why are you tearing?”

Maybe it’s just a quarter century that you confined me to a cell,
Or maybe it’s the craziness from all this nonstop chatter in hell 

It’s chow time, ringggg, There goes the bell…
But I only have a hunger for freedom that I haven’t seen for 20 summers since I fell

I entered the hearing hunched over from all the weightiness,
Pleading my life over a Zoom into faces the shape of shadiness 

They smile at my innocence and turned their eyes to the side,
And I can’t help but wonder would I’ve been better off if I came in here and lied

Maybe that would free me, maybe they would see me,
Or maybe I should end it all because right now I don’t wanna be me

Cause you all get off at five and speed home with collected checks,
Maybe the wife just pissed you off then back to work and off with our necks!

Who’s next? Cleveland 320–313 how’d you get in this bind?
They listened for five minutes, “Why thank you. Now move down the assembly line.”

Here is some more time, so you can think about the crime,
But every time I think about the crime, I see two badges in my mind

Turned the blind eye to the signs and went with many lies by design,
But you know what, I’m fine
I have hope beyond the time

I could see way down the line, where my enemies will face the time
I’m not sure if the occasion will be joyous, and to that I won’t incline,

Because they will have to deal with those demons and my face,
And I’m sure I’ll find forgiveness but tonight’s not that space.

I need them to taste…
Just a taste…