The mothers of Death Row are all too often the unheard voice in the long line
of victims of capital punishment.  Almost never are they even mentioned.  They
deserve consolation as much as anyone.  No matter the guilt or innocence of a
capital defendant...his or her mother is automatically a victim.

    Most mothers do their very best to raise their children properly, and ALL
mothers believe they could have done "just a little bit better," as soon as one of
her children gets into any sort of trouble.  Something about maternal instinct
seems to blame themselves no matter the circumstances.  They simply should
never have to endure this.

    I am not implying that mothers of murder victims aren't victims.  They are the
first to have to endure the trauma of the loss of a loved one.  I am saying that
neither should ever be forgotten.  For any mother to lose a child is a tragedy
beyond comprehension.

    Having said that , following is a simple, yet heartfelt poem that I wrote an hour
or so after Mr. Billy Waldrop was executed December 1996.  The only thing I
could think about was how his mother must have been feeling. 

                              Final Words

                    Hey, Mr Hangman,
                     Look into my mother's eyes
                    As you pull that switch.
                    Do you hear her cries?
                    Tell me ... as her heart breaks,
                    Do you feel remorse or shame?
                    Or are you just  "doing your job"
                     By playing their little game?
                     But remember just one thing,
                     Whether done in the name
                    Of God or Man,
                     When its all over,
                    My blood is forever
                    Upon your hand!
 
                                 - T. Scott Cothren, 1996