Juveniles on Alabama's Death Row

"Tell Me"

Look at me and tell me what do you see? Do you see me as the monster I am proclaimed to be?

Look at me and tell me, what do you feel? Are your emotions caused by my commotions real?

Look at me and tell me, do you know me for the person I am on the Inside? Do you know the person of whom you've stripped of pride?

Look at me and tell me< will my death become your closure? Will it be the end of the pain you have had to endure?

Look at me and tell me< are my eyes black, cold. and without remorse? Will you pray for me as death takes its course?

Look at me and tell me; If your burden is on my head, who is to carry the burden when I am dead?

Look at me and tell me/ have I paid my dues to you? Are my misgivings forgiven? Look at me and tell me, to give you peace, shall my life cease?

Matt Hyde Z-605
cell 5-D-9
Holman, 3700
Atmore, AL36503

"The Haunting"
(Existence to Death)

A life long ago; years in the past, a world of darkness plagues by vengeance, rage and addiction. White lines run on the mirror as I look into it; black eyes stare back at me/ a face I don't recognize; lost in my own existence. Blood rushing, heart pounding, pure adrenalin; steadily pushing it to the edge of space and time. Frightened by the face of the clock as it grows louder, "Tick,Tock, Tick,Tock," counting down the seconds of my life. Rising above it all, haunting images of myself staring into space. breath shallow, and slowly fading. Everyone pacing around me without care, nothing to them.

Lost souls trapped by the web of a fatal spider. Freedom is torture, full of danger and a rapid dissent into the depths of hell. A personal realm of self destruction, free to maim, plunder and ravage your own sanity. Death becomes reality, life is a fantasy, my future is no longer secure. Rage and hatred, a source of protection from the forces which I'll never know, faceless beings in the darkness where no light will shine. Countless explosions of confusion erupting in my mind. A soul lost to the evils of society.

Tombstones become the only reminder of who we were. Blinded by my own ignorance, traveling down a path of pain and torment. Avoiding physical contact with the shadow that follows me. I feel his chill down my spine, the smell of death looms in the air, pointing the source of life. Imprisoned by the false pleasures of a deadly life style. Regrettably I'm at the pinnacle of my life, no more left to make, surrounded by the debris that I've left behind on this path I chose to take. Tears burn my face like acid, jolts of pain wake up the realization that all is lost and forgotten. Powerless, my knees buckle, I'm paralyzed. Nothing to do but to close my eyes and let death take its course.

Matt Hyde Z-605
cell 5-D-9
Holman, 3700
Atmore, AL36503

"Questions" ?

The complex reality of my existence Is out of my comprehension. Why I am who I am, or have done the things that I have done; is beyond me.

So many things about myself I have no explanation for. A riddle wrapped up In an enigma seemingly lost in a maze called life.

The ability to look at myself and know what the future can be, has always eluded me.

I asked myself why so many times, but no logical answer ever appeared.

Searching for a way to make life easier for myself has been a task that I failed. The choices that I made have had a lot of cause and effect. I guess by choosing to be whoever I am, I have affected so many people. I don't know! Which is my point. I don’ t understand it all. Is there a purpose for it all? How about meaning? Can you help me find the answers?

I don't know what my fate or destiny is, has been or will be. Is it true that what goes around comes around? I think Its an evil concept.

To struggle within myself is a terrible thing, something that I regret doing. But, to find an iota of peace in this world that is so disturbing I have to fight to maintain a sense of who I may be, or could be, and possibly will be.

Matt Hyde

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Matt Hyde Z-605
cell 5-D-9
Holman, 3700
Atmore, AL36503

Something to think about

Words from death row......

For a full list of articles written by Juveniles on Alabama's Death Row, go to the complete list of titles at Stories.