The Short, Brutal Life of Chris Byers

EDITORS NOTE: in 1992 in West Memphis, Arkansas, 6 year old Chris Byers, along with two other young boys were brutally murdered. The highly controversial case, known as the "Robin Hood Hills Murders" brought three suspects, all "outsider" teenage boys to conviction. Two of the boys, Jessie Misskelley and Jason Baldwin, were convicted and sentenced to life in adult prison without possibility of parole. The third and the oldest, Damien Echols, was sentenced to death having been fingered by prosecution as ring leader, and summarily, "a devil worshipper" because he practices wicca, a modern pantheist religion which it should be noted, strongly condemns violence. Two films have documented the case and appeals made, PARADISE LOST and REVELATIONS: PARADISE LOST REVISITED. With evidence many have worked hard to bring to light coupled with the protests of many around the country (including nathan singer in this piece) it is now believed that Mark Byers, stepfather of Chris Byers, exhibited violent behavior, and may be to blame for the brutal . To learn more about the case and appeals being made to exonerate the "West Memphis Three" visit http://www.wm3.org/

Breathe it in now, baby child.
Breathe in the water.
It’ll all be over soon.
Don’t fight.
Don’t struggle.
Don’t make the hurt hurt you more.
It hurts more when it hurts you more.
Just let it take you, baby child.
Breeeeeathe deep.
Breathe in the water.
And it’s all over soon.
A world-a hurt will just wash clean
away
Tonight.

Maybe “Daddy” don’t know
what he’s doing
when he takes the belt to you.
When he hurts Mommy,
And Mommy hurts Mommy too.
Maybe she don’t know.
Mommy gets too silly forgetful when
medicines make Mommy
sick and better.
Make Mommy all better?
Mommy won’t let him hurt you
Next time
Next time she promises for real
And no take-backs.
Don’t look when Mommy’s all naked and blue, baby child.
Mommy’s naked and blue.
And Mommy’d rather eat a boy’s face
Than face “Daddy”
In big scary, lazy eyes.
Somebody took Mommy’s baby
And two other Mommys’ babies
And bite and bite and bite
And hit with rocks
And bite and cut and cut
And tied like little naked hogs
With shoe strings.
And cut a baby boy with a fishing knife.
Down there.

Try to be a big boy now, when he’s touching you there
I know he’s touching you there
When he’s touching you there
And now he’s cutting you there
Maybe “Daddy” don’t know what he’s doing
When he’s cutting you there
Baby child.

Mommy’s baby
Is naked and bloody
Skin’s all skinned away.
Down there
(so somebody took three other mommys’ babies)
Baby’s Mommy is naked and blue and full of silly medicine now.
And Mommy’s baby just need-a go ni-night.
Go ni-night now.
Cuz “Daddy” don’t know what he’s doing
And a world-a hurt’s gotta wash clean away tonight.