Stresses of the unknown
Blood pressure on the rise
Noise between my ears
Interupted thoughts

Detached, decapitated
Depressed
A search to find my head
In the midst of unrest

Feet busy to the chamber
Readying a poisonous scheme
Hoping daily
Fearing thoughts of tomorrow

Thou shalt not kill?
Deafened ears on Sunday mornings
For the will of the people
My legalized lynching

By Nicholas Acklin 

Clouded

Wrecklessly I ponder
This cycle, My being
The desire to know
Holding on, clinging
To sanity, a peace of mind

As I age with concrete and steel
Old bones crack
The heart growing heavy
With a once rational mind
Leavening a desire
A balance of will and fate

Spirit and soul
Both speaking freedom
An existence beyond
While politics plot
A narrowing road
Hope a guide
Down this road to clarity

by: Nicholas Acklin

I often wonder if those that support the death penalty took the time to know the condemned, not by name or number, but know him/her, would it make a difference. One can’t help but believe that pro death penalty supporters are only influenced by the details of a crime, and/or mainstreams idea of a death row inmate. Yes, I could be wrong this is something one should ponder.
Though support for the death penalty is at a decline, the majority of Americans still support the death penalty. Even with recent botched executions, there has been no halt on executions. If our courts haven’t saw reason enough to halt executions, why then would the American public have reasons to wait if halted, therein your consistent support for it. Or, at least a reason for consistent support. Also, supporters see the crime, not the person. Not the one that has sat 15 – 20 years becoming a changed person. So, some are quick to comment on an execution when it hits the headlines. Spewing revenge and hate with comments such as: “they should be tortured” and “they should be taken out back and shot”. Not caring about the horrendous executions of the condemned gasping for breath and grunting from 20 minutes to the latest 2 hours!
Is it possible that knowing the condemned would awake the humanity inside the death penalty supporter? Is it possible that politicians are aware that the more one knows, the less they would support it? Therein, they remain “tough on crime” and spew hatred and fear into the hearts of American citizens. One must ask themselves why do we need the death penalty and why are we fighting so hard to keep it, as keep it secret? The death penalty doesn’t make us any safer, it is only a source of revenge and hate.

Fact: In 2011 the U.S. was the only source of executions (43) in the G8 countries or Western Hemisphere (Source: Death Penalty Focus)

Nick Acklin