Tonya

Mar 16, 2009 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

Convict on Death Row

Convict on Death Row

I slipped into his skin

Peered through his steely eyes

Thought his half formed truths

Heard his blatant lies

There was neither sorrow

Nor remorse of any kind

Only shades of black and red

Inside his tainted mind

As I crouched inside his shell

My senses began to wane

All the things I knew I loved

Turned into gnawing pain

Gone were my golden childhood days,

Fright and terror took their place

Strobe like flashes from his past;

Freeze frames of a young boys face

From his memories of long-ago-lost

Emerged a life of bitter hate

Ducking down with arms wrapped round,

Innocence cowered from its fate

With each repulsive revelation

Uncovered from his past,

Breathing became shallow

'Till all was left were gasps

The suffering inside of him

Tore this soul to shreds

I bit my hand, tasting blood,

A heart now filled with dread

The tears began to rise

Could feel the stinging of their grace

The only thing that’s wanted now;

To escape his littered space

Into the light I clawed

From his dark demented mind,

Thought of all the many times

Mankind can be so blind

Perhaps for him, it was too late

Guess some things one never knows

But now, I’ll tread with kindness

And think twice, about the places that I go.

— Tonya, Mar 16, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Country/Region: USA

Critiques

Geezer

17 years 2 months ago

death-row

i think that you have come to a place that most ppl would not want to go. there is no way to know the harm that we do, when we tread carelessly. i myself have only just recently, had this brought to my attention. i walked where i would normally go very carefully, only in my rush to defend an idea, i stepped on some naked toes with my roughshod boots. it gave me no pleasure when i realized what i had done and though i rushed to make amends,i could not prevent the damage done. i don't know how you came to this place, but you portrayed the scene very vividly. well done! gee.

Tonya

17 years 2 months ago

Gee, I’m afraid at times

Gee, I'm afraid at times is a double edged sword. As much as we want to be open minded, theres something in us that SHOUTS our need to defend. But, in doing so, I too have done what you have just described. In good intions, worry, hope, been what i most sometimes despise. Ahhhhhhh, all we can do i suppose, is continue to be true to ourselves, and do it delicately. Not easily done. There is another side to this poem too.. the blindness we sometimes envelope. The quick judgements we make.. without knowing the full story. And i am not defending the acts of wrong doing, sometimes, we need to keep that compassion and empathy close to the surface tho. Regardless of what most of us think, some people do not know right from wrong. Is how they are raised, is what they have lived through and survived. I suppose i would call that evil. Is an oddity to me how differently people can turn out, even given many of the same circumstances. Guess it is our minute make-ups? Thank you so much for reading, i am glad you liked this work.. and lol, i haven't meant to preach to the choir! Always Sincere!!! Tonya

Rett

17 years 2 months ago

Good one Tonya

Your reply just then touched a chord with me also. How true the words that people can turn out differently within the same set of circumstances. Me for instance. I roamed the streets and highways from age 13 until 20. Slept in fields, under bridges, backrooms, and other places I'll not mention. Yet I turned out pretty much intact with a love of my fellow man, a high level of respect for people, but an intolerance for bullying, murder, rape and robbery. A person works hard for what they have and don't deserve to have someone else steal it. I learned to run when I had to, fight to win when I couldn't avoid it and do what I have to to make an honest living. Others in my position turned to crime, robbery, rape, murder and some became and never overcame drug addiction. I guess it all boils down to the makeup of the person in the first place. As far as some not knowing right from wrong most do, but don't care, but there are those who don't. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (F.A.S.) children do not. They cannot tell right from wrong and most never learn it. Some learn to know what is acceptable or not, but not whether it is right or wrong. Sad. Some people just are downright mean. They enjoy killing and inflicting pain. It is scary at times. I enjoyed the write, you got right into the mind of one such. Respectfully, Rett: "Next time you think you're perfect, walk on water." "A Democracy can withstand anything but Democrats." Robert A. Heinlein

loveyu74848

17 years 2 months ago

aunt tawn a wonderful job…

aunt tawn a wonderful job... you really did feel like you stepped inside another and peered into their soul... intresting choice of souls to peer into... the dangerous and deranged always do capture my attention... guess we are more alike than i tend to think... lol... poor you... hehe... love you much christy