LUKE REITER
Before I Go I don’t remember how I first discovered the online archive of executed inmates from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, but I do remember how I was chastened by the final statements of the condemned. This mosaic was composed by collecting the statements I found particularly resonant, categorizing them by theme, then extracting sentences and stitching them together as patterns emerged. During my revision process, I began to seek out various news articles and court records to better understand the deceased whose words I conveyed; some of this information later became the footnotes.
Yeah, first off, I want to say that I am sorry for the pain that I have caused you people.1 I never wanted to hurt any of you all.2 I always said that if I ever get to this point, I would have already said everything that needed to be said to all of those who I love and have been with me throughout this whole journey. Today, I realized that I can never say everything that needed to be said because there is still so much that needs to be said.3 No amount of words could ever undo what I’ve done.4 I’ve had to learn lessons in life the hard way. I’ve hurt a lot of people and a lot of people have hurt me.5 I hope that someday this absurdity that humanity has come to will come to an end.6 There are a lot of injustices that are happening with this. There are a lot of things that are not right in this world. I have had to overcome them myself.7 It is what it is.8 I can only walk the path before me and make the best of it.9 I hope that positive change will come out of this.10 I would like to thank my father and mother for everything that they showed me. I would like to apologize for putting them through this.11 I hope this will bring you peace and I'm sorry for all the pain and suffering. I'm sorry it went on for a terribly long time.12 By no means am I happy for what I’ve done.13 I didn't mean for it to happen.14 I hope that you could forgive me, but if you don't, I understand.15 Tell my kids I’m sorry for being a disappointment.16 Young people, listen to your parents. Always do what they tell you to do: go to school, learn from your mistakes. Be careful before you sign anything with your name.17 Think about it before you make a bad decision.18 Live your life to the fullest. You only live your life once.19 Love one another, go to church, change your life for Christ, live your life for Christ.
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C A R O L I N A Q U A R T E R LY
