With a Heavy Heart

Darrell Grayson, a fellow poet and friend, was executed by State Sanctioned Murder yesterday in Atmore, Alabama. While there were many unanswered questions surrounding his case, it seems the State had no desire to seek the answers.

When will people come to their senses? We are not Gods, nor do we hold such knowledge. Thus, we have no business deciding the fate of life or death.

If you would like to learn more about Darrell or the mission of the PHADP (Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty), you will find lots of information here.

I dedicate the following poem to the wrongfully convicted around the world. And, Darrell, I'll see you in Heaven.

ON THE ROW

In my room of only four by six

time slowly moves too fast

Smoking on my cancer sticks

reminiscing on my past.

Mama tried to tell me way back then

the dangers of this life

Choose wisely in choosing friends

even wiser in a wife.

Be careful with the words you speak

and whom you might want cursed

Our motives we must learn to seek

weighing consequences first.

As I sit here savoring the taste

of my coffee brewed in tin

I think of my future with haste

and all of my past sin.

I watch the rise of smoke from my lips

as it floats overhead

And as I try to come to grips

I pray I wake not dead.

One day the truth to be told the world

as the guilty might confess

All lies and secrets be unfurled

the facts finally egress.


Written/Copyrights Retained by: O'Della Wilson AKA Alhavakia

©February 13, 2005 All Rights Retained