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Recollections of a condemned man

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I have mixed feelings in regards to the death penalty.

Do we have the right to play God?
Also, is it not a bit hypocritical that the death penalty commits the same crime?
I can to a point understand when a person pleads guilty and shows no remorse for their actions.
But what about those who show remorse?

Those who do not plead guilty and die innocent.

“The death penalty is not about whether people deserve to die for the crimes they commit. The real question of capital punishment in this country is, Do we deserve to kill?”
Bryan Stevenson

 

 

178 months, 129940 hours, now only 10 minutes remain. Sitting in cold eerie darkness, he observes the rhythm of water drops, slowly wipes away streams of sweat with his withered trembling hands. That aching fear, gnawing in his fevered brain, spasms of fear demanding flight yet none to be had, his inner soul asking why he had lost his way why had his sad life come to this? What lay in the caverns of darkness ahead! Wardens pace up and down like wolves, stopping to stare with compassion less eyes - smirking. Waiting for the clock to chimes 12 times, and to shout, 'dead man walking.' He sits savouring every last breath, rapidly repenting for all his past mistakes, deep inside he knows its too late for regrets. All his apologies fall upon deaf ears. Flashes past seen, his crimes, girls and drugs, what a blast! Pretty girls, each taking a slice, of his hoarded treasures and he indulging in theirs with total abandonment. O' glorious were those dead and ancient days! Then reality came back to bite and bite hard, saying, " such foolishness was a dream and soon comes Death"! Too hard to bear such truth, he rushes back into fleeting dreams. Suddenly cold, very cold he feels the deafening bleakness! Sees the finality in the concrete and iron bars holding him. Cries silently, what he wouldn't give for another day, another dawn out in sunshine and fresh air! Then reality and Fate both spoke to him saying; " Tho' you a doomed man, meet thy death as a brave one." Each heart beat beats with each ticking second. He clutches his worn bible, readying himself for what lies ahead, anxiously contemplating if he is worthy of redemption. Rocking back and forth, unable to control floods of tears, his thoughts are disturbed with a truncheon rattling his cell's bars, and the dreaded final summoning of his name. Wolves smile with sly eyes, as the stench of death fills the air. Fellow inmates turn their faces to the ground. He savours every step, he knows they are his last. God is no longer the master of his condemned fate. He knows he can't erase the crimes of his past, but takes solace, feeling his crimes were not premeditated, but now he must face the hypocrisy of his own premature death.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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Date: 1/16/2024 6:10:00 AM
Much intensity I felt reading emotions of a condemned man. I can only imagine the turmoil one must feel in regrets of past actions that can never mend. No easy answers such tragedies in our society. Well written as always, SO.
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Date: 1/16/2024 5:15:00 AM
This is very moving. You have well captured the emotions and cause me to contemplate this important topic. I think of those poor people who were innocent and executed.
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Date: 1/16/2024 1:55:00 AM
It is a gruesome way to die, especially by electric chair. You have written this so well with the right touch of melodramatic and the chill factor running right through the flow of your words.There is no way to tell how many of the people executed may also have been innocent. Courts do not generally entertain claims of innocence when the defendant is dead.
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Williams Avatar
Maria Williams
Date: 1/16/2024 1:56:00 AM
How do the grieving family get compensated? Is it all hushed up so real criminals get away? I've watched a few movies like this. Anyway, a great write S1...Hugs
Date: 1/15/2024 10:25:00 PM
Silent One, your powerful and masterfully written poem, paints a vivid and melancholy portrait of a condemned man's last moments. Who indeed has the right to kill? Best of wishes.
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Date: 1/15/2024 9:07:00 PM
Nice writing. I agree that death penalty is playing God. What is the worst, "a premature death" or a life inside a cell? What is the purpose of Justice? Indemnify the victims or prevent future crimes. If the latter, I think that statistics must speak.
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Date: 1/15/2024 7:00:00 PM
The death penalty does seem harsh but at the same time, if love is not awakened in all hearts, let fear be the trigger to keep social order maybe. Ideally, there should be therapy to reset criminal brains but then again, have you seen the movie, ‘A clockwork orange’? From the spiritual angle, we reincarnate and repay debts of love we owe, if need be, suffer as a victim, to learn. Karma is inescapable simply because the one we harm is none other than ourself.
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Unseeking Seeker
Date: 1/15/2024 7:06:00 PM
On the other hand, if there is a loftier purpose, death is faced calmly, smilingly even, as the epic ‘A tale of two cities’ depicts.
Date: 1/15/2024 3:45:00 PM
I appreciate the tension you created within your poem for the condemned man. You captured his state of mind as well as his surroundings. You did that through effective imagery and phrases like "fellow inmates turn their faces to the ground" I could feel the stillness, even the shame and remorse. Well done...have a great evening, Sara
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Date: 1/15/2024 2:36:00 PM
Dear friend, The impending death of a condemned man and his reflections on his life and regrets revolve around the emotional turmoil and existential crisis of facing his final moments. The word choice in the poem is poignant and evocative, creating a sense of despair and desperation. You use vivid imagery to depict the man's state of mind and surroundings, such as "cold eerie darkness," "rhythm of water drops," and "deafening bleakness." Great poem.
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Date: 1/15/2024 10:09:00 AM
What an intriguing title. Great write. I believe death punishment should be a must in some cases. Like for example, if a person is a child molester, and esp. if he does so for money, like by selling their videos you know...!! Rest is debatable! Every case is different though. May we never land in any such situation. Amin
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Date: 1/15/2024 7:49:00 AM
Hmm, iv watched couple of documentaries on individuals in death penalty! And i think most of them feel this way, but it is a bit difficult subject to discuss about for me, as yes some are even wrongly convicted. And its sad how some want certain things before their last breath, its disturbing and very heart wrenching. As someone who is forgiving i feel so sorry for their family etc. you must have watched some of those documentaries cus the way you described certain things is so real and vivid!
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Ink Empress
Date: 1/15/2024 7:51:00 AM
Like “Wolves smile with sly eyes, as the stench of death fills the air. Fellow inmates turn their faces to the ground.” Spot on really! I can literally see that while reading. Anyhow excellent job writing silent one! You really are a versatile poet! Pleasure always reading you

Book: Shattered Sighs