Michael Sharp:
". . .
the combination of my drowsiness, the sweltering heat, and my
thoughts of four executions in the next four days overpowered me. ..." More
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table of contents
prisoner writings
NEW: Poetry by Bill Clark, incarcerated on California Death Row
A piece of writing and some poems by Son Tran, incarcerated on Texas Death Row
Two pieces of writing, Am I Human and Live from Death Row - Reality Check, by Jimmy Jackson, Texas.
Poetry by Jose Uderra, Graterford, PA
Some factual information issues by TDJC which doesn't really fit anywhere else on the site!
Highlights of TDCJ rule alterations with regards to inmate property
TDCJ has issued a new document addressed to family support groups
TDCJ has issued a FAQ, generated from questions asked by family members.
A Journal of Daily Life on Death Row by Taurus Carroll from Alabama
Poetry by John Baltazar
Accountability by Anibal Canales (#999366). A controversial and throught provoking piece.
Writings by Jermont Cox from Pennsylvania (#CE-8242)
Poetry by Danny Jones from Arizona (#92576)
Hand-in-Hand. Poetry by Michael Lynn Blue (#943)
Martin A. Draughon #000878 has compiled a book of his poetry that he is offering for sale. The cost for a hard bound copy is $10.00, but any contribution above that amount would be greatly appreciated.
If you are interested, please send a message to m_draughon@hotmail.com for more information on ordering. Thanks a lot!
An anonymous suggestion as to how the Texas Tax Payer could save $4.5 million a year.
Interview with David Goff, executed on April 25th
Departure and Encapsulated, articles by Gene Hathorn about the post-Gurule conditions on the Ellis unit.
Truly Pro-Life
by Bobby Fratta #999189
The Jericho Road
by Michael Sharp, executed 11-19-97
60 Steps by Carlos
Santana (executed)
A Change of Heart:
A Gift of God by Anthony Cook (executed)
My Testimony by
Robert J. Anderson
Texas Death Row Sports
Events by Bill Coble
Question of American
Justice by Billy Nelson #999017
The Injustice System
by Darlie Routier #999220
Poetry by Alvin Kelly: Father,
Rock Me So Gentle Lord,
Foundation, Walks
With Me, The Choice
is Yours, Freedom,
Satan We're Going to Tear
Your Kingdom Down, The
Power of Love and a Sound Mind, Grace,
Glorify You,
Joy in My Heart,
If You Live the Life of
a Bad Man, Intended,
Use Me Lord, Life,
My Prayer, I'm
Walking With Jesus
Capital Punishment
According to the Bible by Robert Fratta #999189
I Rant by Michael
L. McBride # 903
Your Choice by Martin
A. Draughon #878
It Is Written by Martin
A. Draughon #878
Thank You by Martin
A. Draughon #878
Trying to Describe
by Martin A. Draughon #878
Long Distance Love
by Martin A. Draughon #878
Angel of the Flower
by James E. Sessions #669
Shaktipat by James
E. Sessions #669
A Good Word by
Michael Sharp #740
Rolled Up Slicker
by S. L. Ranahan Panetti #999164
Monday, May 19, 1997 by Michael Sharp #740
Dawn of Time
by James Sessions #699
From Broad to Narrow
by Martin A. Draughton #878
Sorrow and Joy
by James Sessions #669
The Master Plan
by Martin A. Draughton #878
It's 7:00AM. I overslept.
My plan had been to get up and stay up at
the 3:00AM breakfast call, but the combination of my drowsiness, the sweltering
heat, and my thoughts of four executions in the next four days overpowered
me.
The new day didn't seem to hold much promise. After eating breakfast,
I allowed depression to drive me back to my bed. I was awakened by a correctional
officer banging on the security flap that covers the bean hole on my door.
I awoke in a stupor trying to remember the dream which was instantly lost
from my memory. The officer asked me if I wanted to see Drinkard. Ricky
Drinkard, a long-time friend, brother, a man who will be dead before the
sun goes down.
Texas Death Row houses approximately 450 men on eight different wings
at the Ellis Unit, all wthin a quarter-mile radius. Prison segregation
design prevents many of the men from having contact with one another for
years on end.
As I walked from one end of Death Row to the other to meet
with Ricky, my mind was consumed with thoughts of how this meeting would
go.
I hadn't laid eyes on Ricky for about five years and I was a bit overtaken
by his request to see me. I was placed in the cage in which the two of
us would be meeting and I waited for the officers to bring Ricky.
When
I saw Ricky, I could sense his apprehension, that's when I realized I had
a bad dose of anxiety myself.
At first, words were difficult and hard to come by. The many years of
separation made the moment awkward, especially at such an extreme moment
in time.
Ricky and I stammered through our hellos, looking each other in
the eyes. That look for the both of us spoke more words than our mouths
could speak in a thousand lifetimes.
Many claim the eyes are the gateway
to man's soul. If thre was ever a doubt in my mind about that saying, that
doubt has been forever erased.
Ricky's humanity in that instant was laid bare to me, one man to another.
I could feel all the painful years of Ricky's life. I could see the marks
left on his soul from the experiences.
In that same momment, I could also
feel his relief, knowing that he would soon be free from his body of death,
and in the presence of Jesus, to share in an eternity of blessings and
happiness. Ricky had prepared well to meet his Maker and he was ready.
Small talk consumed us. We laughed, cried, and then we prayed together.
Ricky thanked me for being his friend in his early years on the Row, and
for pulling him to the side and explaining life on Death Row to him. I
was the first man Ricky met when arriving on the Row, he wanted me to be
one of the last in such a meeting before leaving.
Primarily Ricky wanted
to thank me for making such an impression on his life. Ricky then shared
things with me I never knew.
I went to meet Rick feeling helpless and lost, knowing I had no answers
for him, but hew knew and understood that.
Rick wasn't looking for answers
or for someone to hold his hand, we were just friends, saying our goodbyes.
I have spent the last several years of my life struggling with all my
might to make a difference in the lives of the men and women on Death Row.
I have worked hard for The Lamp of Hope Project, and in building a personal
relationship with my Lord Jesus. There have been many times along the way,
I have fallen into pits of despiar, desiring to quit my endeavors, often
wondering and asking myself why I was even trying. No one really seemed
to care or to be affected by my efforts.
I came away from the meeting with
Ricky renewed in strength, knowing that I made a difference in at least
one man's life. A difference so profound, he just had to share it with
me before passing on to the other side.
The day has ended. Ricky was executed a short while ago. A day that
began with what seemed to hold empty promises, ended with praises to God.
My friends is at peace, and I with a renewed desire to carry on.
Michael Sharp (#740) was executed on November 19, 1997.