almost dead
I don’t see the day you see,
The Day I see is bleak.
I see bars, well armed guards,
And things that make hearts weak.
I don’t see the sun that shines,
I don’t see the stars.
I see pain, misery,
And bodies etched with scars.
I don’t see the flowers grow,
I don’t see the trees.
I see doubt, hopelessness,
And lots of trembling knees.
I don’t see the rivers flowing.
I don’t see the streams.
I see waste, deficiency,
And men with shattered dreams.
I don’t see integrity,
I don’t see the truth.
I see men who’ve lost their mind,
And men who’ve lost their youth.
I don’t see the happiness,
I don’t see the pride.
I see doom, suffering,
And men whose souls have died.
I don’t see prosperity,
I don’t see the life,
I see strain, emptiness,
And faces creased with strife.
I don’t see the day you see,
Each day I see I dread.
Cause every time tomorrow comes,
I know I’m almost dead.
Bill Clark was sentenced to death in 1997. Bill writes, "I wanted to make sure I maintained my sanity, my sense of humanity and my resolve to be a productive member of society. Because of the safety and security limits placed on death row inmates, my options to exercise my creativity were confined to something I could write or draw on paper. I began by drawing humorous greeting cards and political comics. Around this same time, I started writing poetry and essays on political and social commentary. I love writing and drawing. Plus, I honestly believe my persistence in pursuing success will eventually pay off. Writing and drawing give my life a sense of purpose and meaning, while serving as a buffer to the harsh, inhumane and demoralizing rigors of my predicament."