The Saved One

Falling hard, landing on dirt
Looking up through the square of light
A jagged end of rope is swinging wildly
Winning the unwinnable fight

Survival was the most unlikely
The outcome shocked and surprised
falling to his knees on the hard dirt
the man rubs his sweaty eyes

the floor was to swing away
his neck was meant to have broken
somehow the ropes strength had failed
god has clearly spoken

the crowds angry cry rose as one
they were cheated from their show
they believe it went wrong, he believes it went right
his innocence surely now they must know

why was the bird singing still
in the morning light,
if in all the air was anger.
the mood as dark as night

there was a spark of happiness
among those in the square
the man who had survived heard the bird
perhaps the world was fair.