Therapeutic Stories

Shot and Dead

Sixteen men

Lined in a hall

Tied with rope

Blinded by a shawl

A rolling pen

Signaled the one

Holding an envelope

and a singular gun

"You are invited to a show

to participate in

It will be wonderful fun!

But first, your motivation"

Blindfolds were thrown

Ropes twisted off

Pointed was the gun

The packet opened with a scoff

"These are pictures, you can see

Of your beloved family

If you are able to survive the show

you can return to those that you know."

Two were chosen for Act one

Both happy and young

One with a girl having fine golden hair

The other two sons, smiling and high-strung

In between was placed the gun

One bullet, one shot, one try

The countdown fell fast for the unlucky pair

But the two had not an ally

Both raced for the gun, heart pounding mad

For that which could save themselves

And although they both tried equally

Only one was able to delve

Weariness in his heart he had

His headache could not grow bigger

But he could not from this flee

And so he pulled the trigger

"These are pictures, you can see

Of your beloved family

If you are able to survive the show

you can return to those that you know."

Fourteen rounds were held

Filled with pain and sadness

One reached the top of the pillar

One man whose mind became aimless

Surely if he just once yelled

His mind would become clear

And although his head was a blur

He could return home without fear

A happy family greeted him

Unknowing of his torture

His eyes crinkled as he smiled

Forgetting of his murder

Over time though, he became grim

And though he didn't show his dread

When he hugged his loving child

It was obvious inside he was shot and dead

"These are pictures, you can see

Of your beloved family

If you are able to survive the show

you can return to those that you know.

But never did I say to you

You simpleminded fools

That if you returned, if you thrived

You would still want to be alive."