March, 2014 - Compassion on Death Row

Written by Death-Row Prisoners
140 W. South Boundary Street | Perrysburg, OH 43551
Publishing compassionate
and introspective articles
written by death-row
prisoners.
I
March 2014 | Vol. 17 | Issue 75 (Bi-monthly)
Stand for Something or
Fall for Anything
magine we are standing in the middle of
the road pointing in opposite directions,
both of us claiming, “This way is right!”
Who actually is right is determined by our
destination, that is, the destination is our point
of reference (p.o.r.) by which we orient ourselves
and the world around us – making sense of it
all. The p.o.r. puts it all into perspective: which
way is forward, who’s leading, who’s lost…
without it, there’s only chaos and conjecture; we
need to know which way is north, so to speak.
The world is full of lost souls pointing every
which way.
Unless we stand for something (have a clear
p.o.r.), we have no way to know right from
wrong, which way to go in life, nothing solid
to stand on. We’ll let our fears or desires run
our lives – we’ll be slaves to them. Truth is our
p.o.r.; but what is truth (objective truth, not
subjective truth)? Where do we get it? Truth is
unbreakable: 1 + 1 = 2 regardless of whether I
say or think or want it to be 3; it’s independent,
and it shapes the world around it; the world
doesn’t shape truth, though not from lack
of trying.
God gives us objective truth – the Scripture
– and by believing and using it, everything else
becomes clear, brought into proper perspective:
who’s right/wrong, what’s good/evil, what’s
valuable (wisdom, love, etc.) – and by accepting
His values, our decisions become clearly
prioritized because the thing you value most
will be the thing you choose when deciding
between things, what comes first; our morals
and principles become solid. Just as I consult a
(Continued on page 6)
Recognize Your Triumph
IN THIS ISSUE:
uEditorial: The Abundant Life
uLetters to the Editor
uVictims Voice
uA Moment of Realization
uBirth of Tomorrow
uMy Name Is...
uRevisiting
Don’t let the system steal your determination, optimism or drive
Every day we awake our mission is to stay alert and remain alive
To live as examples of people who shall wave no white flags
Never giving in to weak-mindedness by sidestepping life’s daily snags
It’s a must that we overcome the hurdles and barriers placed in our way
We can’t effectively change tomorrow by neglecting what’s happening today
Demand to be defined by the present you and not the mistakes of your past
uFor Whom the Ball Tolls
Focus on what’s most meaningful to gain success and do all to make it last
uYear of the Bible
Spread positive energy in all you do
uAnd More...
so that your conscience remains clear
By doing so you’ll be able to recognize
your triumph when it’s near.
www.compassionondeathrow.net
Antony Cain
California Death Row
San Quentin, CA
Letters
to the Editor
Letters to the Editor are welcomed
from all prisoners (this includes
non-death row prisoners) and the
outside community.
In submitting letters, we ask that
compassionate and introspective
guidelines apply to your
communications.
Limit size to 400 words or less.
Letters may be edited for clarity
and space considerations.
CONTACT US AT:
Letters to the Editor
COMPASSION
140 W. South Boundary Street
Perrysburg, OH 43551
COMPASSION OUTSIDE
COORDINATOR
[email protected]
TEL:419-874-1333
FAX:419-874-3441
WEBSITE ADDRESS:
www.compassionondeathrow.net
PUBLISHER
Compassion
CO-EDITORS
Abu Ali Abdur-Rahman
Marcus Wellons
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Al Cunningham,
Charles Henry Diller,
Konstantinos Fotopoulos,
Siddique Abdullah Hasan,
and Melvin Speight
COMPASSION
ADVISORY BOARD
Death-Row Prisoners
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Robert Saint Bailey, Anthony Cain,
Tavares Calloway , R. Wayne Holsey,
Kevin Marinelli, Dorian Frank O’Kelley
& George Wilkerson
Please Note: Any opinions expressed
in this publication are those of the
individuals writing them and not of
Compassion or other staff members.
2
Editorial: The Abundant Life
L
ife is one of God’s greatest gifts.
A beautiful journey. Often
unpredictable. It can be full or empty,
lived purposefully or aimlessly. Life with
vision; foresight, insight and hindsight,
as well as acquiring knowledge, wisdom
and understanding, greatly enhances our
pilgrimage, and requiring effort and desire.
Jesus said “The thief comes to kill,
steal and destroy, but I have
come that you may have life and
life more abundantly.”
Abundant living is the richest life. Proverbs
says “The blessings of the Lord maketh rich,
and He adds no sorrow with it.” It is an
overflow of blessings that may include wealth,
but the more weightier ones are health-time,
love, good people, faith and peace and joy
through life’s storms and seasons that surpass
all logical understanding.
The abundant life will make you the head
and not the tail. The lender, not the borrower
and will empower you through the dark
clouds of despair, days where you don’t feel
like getting out of bed. You cover your eyes
because you don’t want to see the bars, fences
and razor wire or engage with people not to
mention the fight to stay alive. Quiet time
alone can be a rejuvenator.
Many in the outside world feel imprisoned
by their jobs, business, and bills and
overwhelmed by many responsibilities while
satanic spirits whisper “Quit! There’s no way
out,” But you can’t. I’ve been there and witness
these every day.
Jesus said “The thief comes to kill, steal and
destroy, but I have come that you may have life
and life more abundantly.”
This bountifully blessed life begins
right now, regardless of where one is, and
extends through eternity, and will change
your perspective. It causes me to begin each
day with thanksgiving. You’ll see your job
and unfulfilled life and responsibilities as a
blessing. The prison becomes your university.
Your cell serves as your office, classroom,
library and your sanctuary and altars to
worship. It elevates to a higher-spiritual plane
where one can see or make some beauty where
there is no beauty. In watching a sunset to
music, in a poem, scripture, loved ones and
each individual sent into your path. This
richness can unglue you from the bed to
begin your day with intentionality, passion
and expectancy, making good use of your
allotted time and making you victorious over
your every power of the enemy, even the one
in one’s own mind. Seek opportunities to help
someone else.
This life of abundance God gives, but not
many attain it because it requires decisions:
1.Total commitment to Christ – Be all in,
“come hell or high water,” no turning back.
2.Discipline – Our thoughts then we can
control the tongue which affects attitude
and behavior. To study, pray and meditate
even if you don’t feel like it.
3.Required Sacrifice – May be sleep, missed
opportunities, hated or attacked for doing
what’s right and just.
4.Hard Work & Diligence –Nothing comes
to a sleeper, but a dream. Proverb teaches
poverty will attack a lazy person like
an armed bandit. Work while others
sleep and play.
5.Divine Grace – Empowers a willing person
to be an obedient vessel.
We cannot claim ownership of the talents,
abilities and resources God has so graciously
entrusted us with but when we use them to
enrich the lives of others then He is glorified.
This is the essence of abundant living with
a purpose greater than self. To those whom
much is given, much is required.
Marcus Wellons
Co-Editor
Georgia Death Row
Jackson, GA
Letters to the Editor:
I Will Never Forget You
Seek First the Kingdom of God
The Spirit came this morning, and joined in a morning
song. Fear took flight, it had to leave. Holiness was here
to say: I will be with you today. I am where you are now.
Christ has saved and set you free. Walk forth in real
liberty. I bring the truth to you.
In your recent newsletter Marcus Wellons mentions,
“the mystery of death creates anxiety.” Maybe I can
relieve some of that mystery and anxiety. I call your
attention to two current books, each written by a
physician about their incredible trips to heaven in
a near death experience. In “To Heaven and Back”
Dr. Mary Neal, an orthopedic surgeon, recounts her
experience after drowning and being under water an
estimated 15 minutes on a kayak trip to remote Chili.
With two severely, injured knees her body was rescued
and transported to medical help. This with no cell
phones to summon help to this distant site. The second
book is “Proof of Heaven” by Dr. Eben Alexander, a
neurosurgeon. He developed a severe brain infection
and was in a coma for a week. Recovery was highly
unlikely and if he did recover major brain damage was
a surety. During his coma he too made an amazing trip,
which he shares with his readers. He writes to convince
his skeptical medical colleagues, just as he was skeptical
of the near death experiences of his patients. These
are life changing stories, of God’s love for all of us,
that may give you a wonderful preview of what is
coming next.
Charles Henry Diller
Assistant Editor of Outside Communication
Dallas State Correctional Institution
Dallas, PA
Heaven’s Grocery Store
I was walking down life’s highway; one day I saw a
sign that read: “Heaven’s Grocery Store”. I approached
closer, the door was opened wide, and when I came to
myself I was standing well inside. I saw a host of angels,
they were everywhere. One handed me a basket and
said: “My Child shop with care. Everything a Christian
needed was in this Holy space. Take all that you can
carry; come back tomorrow and have some more.” I
went on a shopping trip. First I took hold of patience,
love and understanding. You need that where you are.
I pulled a box or two of wisdom off the shelf, and a
bag of faith. I couldn’t miss the Holy Ghost for it was in
this place. I paused to get some strength and courage
to help me run the race. My basket was getting full
and I remembered I still needed Grace. I did not forget
salvation but took hold of enough to save you and me.
I started walking toward the counter to pay my bill.
I thought I had enough to do my Master’s will. As I
walked up the aisle I saw prayer. I put it in my basket for
I knew when I stepped outside, I would run right into
sin. Peace and joy were plentiful on the last shelf. Songs
of praise were hanging high; I just helped myself. Then I
said to the angel, “How much do I owe”? He just smiled
and said, “Take them where you go.” I asked again,
“How much do I owe?” He replied: ‘My Child, Jesus paid
your bill a long time ago.”
I greatly admire your work with the Scholarship fund
and the newsletter Compassion. I am also a firm
supporter of abolishing the death penalty. I receive
Compassion through the donation of my church, St.
John’s Episcopal. May God be with all of us in our
work. Peace be with you.
Marilyn Kreger
Brighton, MI
Mervin Fortune
State Correctional Institution
LaBelle, PA
3
A Father’s
Forgiveness
Azim Khamisa
Azim Khamisa’s 20 year old son, Tariq, was shot and killed in 1995,
while deliveringpizza, by Tony Hicks who, at 14, became the first
juvenile in California to be tried as an adult. He pled guilty to firstdegree murder and is now servinga 35 year to life sentence.
in his son’s memory and he told Tony, “When youcome out of
prison youcan have a jobat the foundation.”
he hoped those responsible were found and executed for their
crime and rotted in hell but Azim disagreed and indicated; “There
are victims at both ends of the gun.”
4.Through meditation work at forgivingyourself.
Azim decided “not to become the enemy of my son’s killer but
of the forces that put a youngboy on a dark street holdinga gun”
He said “I had what youmay call a spiritual epiphany.” He met
Tony Hicks later and forgive him for what he did. Together with
Tony’s grandfather Azim started the Tariq Khamisa Foundation
Azim has written several books and lectures extensively on
forgiveness and meditation. Youcan view his suggestions on line
at www.Azimkhamisa.com.
Tony received his GEDhigh school diploma in prison and went
on to receive a degree in psychology. Azim believes his ability to
In an interview with Compassion newsletter Azim said, “when first forgive has given Tony hope and allowed him to become focused
hearingofmy son’s murder I hungupon the homicide detectives.” and successful in his endeavors while in prison.
He then called and spoke with his son’s fiancéwho had already
Azim encourages Compassion readers on death row to take the
heard the news and was sobbinguncontrollably. Because the
followingsteps in their lives.
trauma ofhearingthis news was so overwhelming, Azim said,
1. Take full responsibility for your offense.
“the strength went out ofmy legs and I collapsed and had an out
2.Be sincerely remorseful.
ofbody experience where I went into the arms ofGod.”
3.Ask forgiveness from the victim’s family even though youmay
Accordingto Azim “When God sent me back I called my best
not receive it.
friend and he came over to be with me” The friend indicated that
5.Redeem yourself by doinggood and workingto encourage
others especially youngpeople not to follow in your footsteps.
For more information visit www.MVFHR.org.
Tariq Khamisa
“A Moment
of Realization”
A moment frozen in time,
A memory forever etched into my mind
Brings only feelings of joy when visited!
The thoughts of that warm smile
Illuminates my heart and makes my soul shine!!
Again the divine has found me
And once again exhibited itself
Through the soul of another
How is it that love could be so understanding,
So compassionate, so flexible, but yet so firm?!
It is only when I realized
That I have asked this question aloud
That love smiles and simply replies
I Am Unconditional!!!
Tavares Calloway
Florida Death Row
Raiford, FL
4
Birth of Tomorrow
H
ow beautiful is your hope, the essential of existence: So many
needs will welcome your arrival. For tomorrow possibly holds
what today hopes for. And while many hearts will hope that your
arrival doesn’t make a questionable appearance, you are needed. For
life is lived now and understood later in spite of the fear that tomorrow
may possibly hold the essence of deep silence…
Oh, how it’s wished that your arrival could live and let live. But you
will have to make your own decisions and those who aren’t welcome
will have to stand before a higher power. Oh, how much better it would
be if today could somehow slip into the future, to breast feed your
tomorrow, to put you over its shoulder in hope that you burp a better
promise. It doesn’t seem right for some to rejoice while others may
mourn. Oh, tomorrow what joy you bring. Oh, tomorrow what pain
you give. Oh, tomorrow.
(Dedicated to John Hightower when facing execution)
Robert Wayne Holsey
Georgia Death Row
Jackson, GA
My
Name Is...
Beyond the healed bones
from “sticks and stones”
the pain still remains
My name is…hurt
Beyond the chastity lost
there lingers a cost
a scarring of the soul
My name is…shame
Beyond the crime done
and the repentance won
sorrow has not died
My name is…grief
By John Robinson / Kansas Death Row / El-Dorado, KS
Untitled
by Eric Hall
Idaho Death Row
Boise, ID
8” x 10”
Pen and Pencil
Price:$40.00
Includes Shipping
Beyond the addiction broken
and the apologies spoken
a shattered life yet exists
My name is…regret
Beyond disease diagnosed
a life’s misery confirmed
a striken body felt
My name is…pain
Beyond a love mourned
a heart left unadorned
and dryless tears
My name is…lonely
Beyond all that’s desired
belief like a raging fire
a glimmer remains
My name is…faith
Beyond what is seen
and everything between
you push on and on
My name is…hope
Please Donate to Our Scholarship Fund...
Death Row Prisoners Donate Art
F O R S C H O L A R S H I P S
We are in Need of Prisoner Drawings and Paintings
All proceeds from sales of artwork go to college scholarships for family
members of murder victims.
Please make check out and mail to: Compassion Art for Scholarships
140 W. South Boundary St.
Perrysburg, OH 43551
Beyond the prayers said
and scriptures read
a heart full of joy
My name is…love
Kevin Marinelli
Pennsylvania Death Row
Waynesburg, PA
5
Now Accepting
Scholarship
Applications
A portion of the funds from subscriptions and
undesignated donations to Compassion are
given as college scholarships to immediate
family members (parent, grandparent, child,
grandchild, sibling) of murdered victims.
If you or someone you know is a U.S. citizen
and is either attending or planning on attending
a college or university (academic or religious)
as a student and had a family member murdered, please submit an application.
To Obtain an Application:
Write
COMPASSION
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Call 419-874-1333
Ask for Compassion’s office
Visit
www.compassionondeathrow.net
Death Row Prisoners
Please Write To Help Youth!
Compassion is gathering essays written by
death row prisoners on words of advice on
how juvenile offenders can best avoid going
back into prison. Recidivism rates are very high
among youth and your words of encouragement and wisdom may save a young person
from having to reenter the prison system. This
book, like “Today’s Choices Affect Tomorrows
Dreams,” will be sent without charge to at-risk
youth in juvenile detention facilities throughout
the United States. Send your submission to:
New Book Compassion
140 W. South Boundary
Perrysburg, OH43551
To Our Readers:
Anything death-row prisoners write may
jeopardize their future appeals. Knowledge
of these facts may limit the scope of a
prisoner’s expressions.
All stories are subject to editing for
grammar, sentence structure and clarity.
6
Revisiting
Love bridges the gapbetween two worlds
borderingat the barred visitation-booth window,
a window scarred by hate and loveganggraffiti and lovers names forever tattooed
On its grimy surface, textured by matching
Greasy palm prints on each side:
Evidence of the effort to maintain contact.
Acrid smoke from burnt bridges
Burns my eyes; I produce tears
To put the fire out
The air still tastes like ashes, laced with barbed wire –
It’s painful to breathe it in, to accept it.
I’ve watched cheappaint grow layer by layer
On visitation- booth walls; over the little grills
That filter our voices, our feelings, our lives
Through its tiny canals cloggingwith waxy build-up
Like the growingcallous surroundingthe hearts
Of those who once had feelings for me,
Makingit hard to be felt
To be heard
Over the din of the world.
Some try to entombme in their past, neck-deep
In debris from crumblingcrosswalks
And decrepit memories,
But I refuse to lie still,
To be buried alive, To be forgotten:
Love dies hard. I live…
Still,
Though dead in the eyes of many.
My old nickname is etched into the steel table
Below that barred visitation-booth window,
A window bearingwitness to wide-ranginghumanity.
I’d have to digthrough year after year
Of painted memories
To see the boy I used to be,
To remember the way it once was,
To see how much I’ve grown—
Closer to some, apart from others,
And into the man I am…
Becoming.
I Care
In every child the sense of the
Mysterious is intuitive and direct.
So rarely do we take the time to
Listen
We fail to appreciate, to reverence
Who we are.
The greatest gift one can give is
Friendship.
To let another person know someone
Cares, someone is ther for them –
That they need never be alone again.
There is no one person who can fully
Appreciate me;
Each person uncover but one of the
Many colors of my rainbow.
Hope is rendered ineffectual unless we
Dare to lay ourselves on the line,
Unless we dare as human beings to
Utter to simple words –
“I Care!”
John Robinson
Kansas Death Row
El Dorado, KS
George Wilkerson / North Carolina Death Row / Raleigh, NC
Stand for Something or Fall for Anything
(Continued from front cover)
dictionary to know the spelling or meaning of
a word, so I consult scripture to know how to
live and the meaning of life, and my purpose
within it, within this framework of reality.
I have decided to follow Christ as He leads
us into Heaven, I don’t always understand,
but I choose to give Him the benefit over my
doubts; I’m not perfect but God is, therefore if
God is for it (or against it) then so am I.
To make a stand means by decision to
live God’s way must be uncompromising,
even when no one’s looking. To do otherwise
leaves us open to be deceived and led astray…
by ourselves (our vain imaginations, fears,
desires) or by others; but knowing where I
stand – what I stand for – protects against
that. I have a way to refute it, a standard to
judge by; standing for the right thing is just as
important – more, maybe. Many are sincere,
but wrong – houses built on sand and what
you stand for determines your path, the
direction you’re headed. Follow me as I walk
into the gates of Heaven. Amen.
George Wilkerson
North Carolina Death Row
Raleigh, NC
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For Whom
the Bell Tolls
A voice echoes in the dark,
With no one to hear,
Trepidation in the voice,
A real sense of fear.
A man’s entombed as if dead,
Placed on Death Row,
An outcast of the world,
With no empathy shown.
A dead man in a casket
Even he gets a string,
In case he comes alive
There’s a bell for him to ring.
That man on death row
Needs a bell to toll,
His voice echoes in my heart,
So this poetic string I pull.
Robert Saint Bailey
Florida Death Row
Raiford, FL
O
Year of the Bible
n October 4, 1982, the 97th United States
Congress, in the 1st session, authorized
and requested that President Ronald Reagan
designate 1982 as “The Year of the Bible.”
This request recognized the influence the
Bible has been for our Nation and our need
to study and apply the teachings of the Holy
Scriptures. That joint resolution was signed
that same day. In a “2007 World Almanac” it
says over 273,000,000 in our nation proclaim
to be Christian. In spite of this many other
nations of the world, including some with
an atheist or agnostic growing majority and
members of the European Convention, have
been leaders in human rights, which include
ending the death penalty.
One can debate all day about what is
wrong with our country and who is to blame.
Instead, I will do as the 97th Congress asked
and apply the lessons of Matthew 7:4-5 to my
life: “how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let
me pull a speck out of thy eye; and behold a
log is in my own eye?” I am making my own
resolution to make 2014 my own year of the
Bible. Maybe this will be yours, also?
I cannot any longer keep scapegoating
our nation’s failures on others. I must start
with myself. The 97th congress said, “That
renewing our knowledge of and faith in God
through Holy Scripture can strengthen us as
a nation and a people.”
Dorian O’Kelley
Georgia Death Row
Jackson, GA