A writer whose work appeared on this website, Darrell Grayson, was killed by the State of Alabama on July 26, 2007. There is much information available elsewhere about my friend Darrell's story and the species of collective insanity  that lead to his execution. If you'd like to know more, see www.darrellgrayson.com.   If you share our commit to abolishing the death penalty, I confidently speak for Darrell when I urge you, in his honor, to write a letter or make a phone call for one of his brothers or sisters facing execution.  You can always keep up with these at http://www.ncadp.org. Trust me, there's no shortage of people who deserve your advocacy.

       I find myself still unable to write much about my friend. Instead, I'm reading some extra poetry, including Robert Bly, a poet whose work we both loved.  I will say that Darrell did something I would never be able to do:  make a life mostly spent on death row--25 years there--a worthwhile and fruitful life that produced much beauty, friendhip, and love.  His close friend Esther Brown, who I am proud to call my own friend, reminded me that when Darrell was a little boy he dreamed that his life would have meaning, that he would be able to make something of himself. Under impossible conditions, he did just that.  Esther shares an idea about him that I like to pass on:  Darrell believed in the justice that was denied him.