Papillon (1973)

By Gary Mesick

Everyone is guilty. If not
Of one thing, then another.
Grand schemes may pass the time
Between betrayals, whether by
Co–conspirators, unlucky
Coincidence, or plain bad
Timing. But your penance is
To be left to brood with no company
But your miserable self.

So why not just wait it out
In relative comfort and be betrayed
By a faithless spouse like the rest of us?
It comes to the same thing in the end.

And Devil’s Island has its charms —
Once you give up hope.