Will courtroom rise, and pay heed
to the charges brought forth by an evil deed.
A crime against humanity, and it is thus
that such a thing will be brought to justice.
I defend here a person who lived in hell,
and so cannot be here for themselves.
The first witness I call, up to the stand,
the tormentor on earth of that poor young man.
A bully most call you, or so you've heard,
but see yourself now: a true murderer.
What could possess you, within your own mind,
to torture another with actions so blind?
Day in and day out, without respite,
until your victim turned away from the light.
He soon found a rope, a rafter, a chair,
his only relief from the pain you put there.
Now he is dead, and you're in account,
for how tragically these things have turned out.
We charge you today with this terrible crime,
which you will pay for, in the fullness of time.
Please return to your seat, and let the jury reflect
upon the actions of yours that led to this act.
The jury finds you GUILTY, that's not a surprise.
twenty to life for your self-serving lies.
The court is adjourned, no bargain or plea,
justice is served to a crime against humanity
Author notes
The conflict is not stated, per se, but it is an outcry against homophobia and those who perpetuate it to its disastrous ends. Truly one of the more disastrous societal wars, in my opinion.
A contest entry
- A Call to Action by Backporchphilosopher.
700 points, ended February 4, 15 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Write a modern classic war poem. by BabyBun.
700 points, ended February 26, 24 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
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Really interesting interpretation - very thought provoking. Thanks and good luck
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this is a great write, i never would have thought it wasn't about war, i was thinking a religous war (possibly bush in court) but i re-read it and as an outcry against homophobia it is even more chilling, and something quite unique, best of luck in the contest
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points for great write!!!!!!
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Had to re-read when I learned conflict
TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!! I believe we are indeed "divinely" accountable for our hateful actions & words & AND INACTIONS that propel some into such darkness they take their own lives as did the person in your piece. Remember not the words of the enemies, but the silence of friends...to paraphrase. I grow angry at the the (predominately religious) intolerance, ignorance, and bigotry that is homophobia...I applaud this piece and your voice, poet. Nice rhyming, powerful concept of holding someone to account for their crime...Thank you for entering. -
I hope that didn't happen to someone you know
Holy righteous anger Batman! This is amazing! I was bullied in high school for different reasons, but the damage is still the same. This is a poem that tugs at the heart-strings because everyone knows, or at least knows of someone who died by their own hands because someone managed to get them to believe that they didn't deserve life. The reason is never about the victim, but about the perpetrator. They can't be strong enough to accept someone's difference, so they try to dominate them into conforming to their worldview as to how a person should be. Great write!
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