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Open Poetry #34
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“How about those cowboys?” Death Row Series I
| Open Poetry #34 |
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“How about those cowboys?” Death Row Series I |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533
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My words are italicized and the absolute last words of those executed in Texas are not. When the lines are broken they are from different individuals (and so couplets and quatrains were spoken by the same person if no line breaks). In all, these words (including the title) are from 24 different humans (however inhuman the deplorable actions that brought them here they are still humans and we all suffer in this sentence) . . . “I love you.” Spoken to the executioner. New York.-Sean Flannagan, d. June 23, 1989 “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Jesus Christ- From Luke 23:46 . . . How About Those Cowboys? . . . I am ready for the final blessing I am ready warden I’m through Send me home Through the pious faith the state’s been pressing, cross the Jordan, to eschew this brutal loam Tonight I dance on the streets of gold, Let those without sin cast the first stone Ground but good, this seed of the fold and those who condone, how will they atone? God, come and do your will I am ready. See you later. I am ready. So like another son led to a hill, a tie-down team restrains and holds me steady I don’t want to be in heaven, I mean, I don’t want to be in hell I can’t hear you. You may forgive me And you may not Fumbling words, like yeast I’d use to leaven mixed and unmatched verses that you sell, babble on in you who will outlive me ‘til you too rot I thank you for being kind to me when I was small Little people always seem to get squashed ‘Tis capital most oft’ where’$ no capital at all ungreased means unclement, unheard and quashed It started with a needle and it ended with a needle Ironic isn’t it? I’m a cross….yes Words too late to wheedle from the worm and beetle. Irony’s what will the state confess? Goodbye Sun, I love you To the moon and back -- I love you all Man’s long run in review, poltroon and stacked to fall If I’m paying a debt to society I am due a rebate and a refund A double impropriety what was did cannot be undone I don’t want nobody to be mad at nobody I don’t want nobody to be bitter Facades of sterile study prove less bloody yet think this justice and you’ve quit her Hey, how y’all doin’ out there? I done lost my voice Your weak days are of vengeance where on Sundays you rejoice I love you boogie bear I love doodle bug too No, sir, I just want to pray a chant Do what you have to do Lord, thank you for all my family, all my friends, and all my brothers on the row When the tears flow let the smiles grow I am sorry for your loss and hey, I love y’all. Let’s go [This message has been edited by RSWells (01-12-2005 09:29 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2005 Richard S. Wells jr. - All Rights Reserved | |||
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
“Forgive them Father For they know not What they do…” ~Jesus Christ Victim-Crusader-Assailant-Peace Maker-Devil-Crazy- Abandoned-Poor-Rich-Friend-Enemy-Laws-Lawless- Barren-With Child-Deaf-Dumb-Blind. But not Death… He overcame Death for our salvation and freedom. . Enjoyed... JL |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Richard, a very somber list of thoughts from the guts of men who stand before the gates... Thanx for sharing it all. |
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John B Member
since 2002-07-02
Posts 68Texas, USA |
You've broke molds over here. |
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Nightshade
since 2001-08-31
Posts 13962just out of reach |
Wow. |
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*Alli4000*
since 2004-03-21
Posts 3188The World of Poetry |
wow...enjoyed this!  ~Alli~ Happy 2005! |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Now this is a very controversial topic for sure and could open a real can of worms if it were to be discusssed on the content, not the form and poetry (which is really very kewl.) I don't believe anyone, and I mean anyone, has the right to play God. There is enough death due to natural disasters, and no matter what heinous crime a person commits, taking a another life to me is not only senseless, but makes the person responsible the same level as those condemned.  I sure welcome a series such as this as it is one topic that needs to be chewed on a bit, to see if it can be swallowed, or choked on. Besides which it gets that old gray matter moving. Carpe' Diem |
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RSWells Member Elite
since 2001-06-17
Posts 2533 |
Thank you for your notice, your comments. JL, that passage crossed my mind but we do know what we're doing and so I can't imagine forgiveness. Sharon, controversial? yes but I'm tired of the hypocrisy of a society that preens pretentious in its message and morals while in its actions lacks compassion. And since we've met and you've known me for a while you know that I sent a man to California's death row when I turned him in to America's Most Wanted in 1991. He did the wrong thing (killing two women), I did the right (the FBI was looking for him for 8 years and swaggered on AMW's other show "Final Chapter" daring to credit their excellent detective work for his capture) Controversial as well, my railing against the Iraq war while Bin Laden runs free. Our society will be judged harshly should there be a future. What part of "Thou shalt not kill" do these people not get? Perhaps if they were denied the opportunity to pick and choose between "eye for an eye," "vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord" etcetera they'd be a bit less confused. To spend the remainder of ones life in a small, hard prison cell, denied the Sun, wind, rain, human contact and a simple walk beyond 10 paces in artificial light should be punishment enough. We demean ourselves in this flawed and unequal decision to send some and not other offenders to death in some places and not others for some murders and not others. There have been innocent men put to death (as well as insane and retarded) and it's a bit hard to retrieve them once this is discovered. It costs more for the state to argue against appeals than to let a guilty party rot in a box with his/her thoughts for the rest of their days. I'll climb off this comment soapbox and do my talking in my poems. Poets against the war is redundant |
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