In Case You're Wondering, I Don't Support The Death Penalty Either, But That's A Matter For Another Sonnet

I don't care who you are or what you've done,

You don't deserve a simulated death,

A thumbscrew, rack or shock. I am not one

Who cries for blood like some Lady MacBeth;

I'd rather not be screaming at a spot

On hands or conscience. Hurt me and I'll take

The right to hurt you back but I will not

Do so when you're tied down, or to a stake.

You'll stand and face me equally, and if

I can't even the odds myself I'll use

The justice system, slow but sure and stiff.

You get your say, I mine, but I refuse

To act like you, nor would I e'er respect

Such being done on my behalf unchecked.

BONUS SONNET: Written On A Dare

The gauntlet thrown, of course I pick it up.
A Twitterfriend has double-dog dared me
To sonnetize on Cheney. I said yup,
I bet I can before I'm off to see
How many Guiness glasses I can down
To celebrate this fine St. Patrick's Day.
I hope he won't turn this here sonnet down --
A meta-sonnet is fair game, I'd say.
We all know 'bout the ex-veep's latest mess:
His rush to out Limbaugh ol' Rush Limbaugh.
Dick Cheney, in his great Bitchassedness
Keeps dissing on Obama, won't withdraw.
But what do we expect from Tortur'n Dick?
Was he going to depart the field that quick?