River of Tears

I feel and observe the wasted years,

At night the cries and the River of Tears.

Steel bars and cold grey walls,

In our sleep the river calls.

Fatherless children, widowed brides.

The River of Tears is there to oblige.

Cell after cell, row upon row

Each with a story, continues the flow.

Alone, hopeless and filled with fear

There's room in the river, you'll fit in here.

The final walk .... the stilled, silent scream.

The River of Tears was only a dream.

ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Affection in my day and age,

Has no limit when it comes to you.

I plunge into the world of happiness,

Where our passion cannot be construed.

You possess a type of love.

That you discose before me tenderly:

Your matchless disposition and methods of intimacy,

Create nothing but complete harmony.

Your responses to my pleas,

Are beyond extraordinaire.

As I come to you, heart in hand,

Proving that I truly care.

Could you handle me as your genie,

If I were to grant you three special wishes?

And what would you do or say to me,

If I gave you a basketful of kisses?

There is a pain in my heart, That only you can cure.

The special moments in our relationship,

Causes us to expand excessively pure.

I have an immediate concern,

Regarding your most sensual wellbeing.

Your eyes are the windows to your soul,

And not only just for seeing.

Because time passes by so quickly,

I haven't obtained the opportunity to respond.

I can't restrain myself or my train of thought,

Since it is over you that I've grown extremely fond.

Daniel Hittle, Texas Death Row 1999 (Executed December 2000)

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In a Death Row prisoner‘s own words:
“I already answered Sally‘s first letter, but not just a letter of words. I wrote letting her know I want to be her friend forever. I can already see she is a very sweet person, full of smiles and happiness and my heart is very full of care and respect for her.”

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"I know what it is like to live in a cell for decades and feel that the whole world hates you. I never expected to be able to live again as a contributing member of a community. Prison life was precarious and unpredictable but I met people who worked there who wanted to help me and people like me - and I'm lucky that I live in a society graceful enough to offer me a second chance. At least I had hope. Hope for many of the people supported by Human Writes has all but been extinguished. Letters to people on Death Row let them know that however low they may have fallen, they are still human beings. They still have value and are worth caring about and letters might just help to keep hope alive. That is why I am honoured to have been invited to be a patron."
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