»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #1
»
The Horrible Crime
| Open Poetry #1 |
|
The Horrible Crime |
|
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
|
The courthouse room was overflowed that early day in May. The people came from miles around and traveled night and day With hatred burning in the breasts, they drove with scarcely any rest To see the boy who broke the law and now would have to pay. It wasn't that his act of crime had sounded so displeasin' For blowing up a power plant appeared to have no reason And, in another time or place, it would have been a 'curious' case But, being in a war-time state, 'twas called an act of treason. The Daily News had spread the rage and called the boy a spy And all the world was startled at the popular outcry That stretched from Oregon to Maine. A wounded nation called in pain That, for his act of sabotage, the guilty boy must die. The room was tense and quiet as each witness testified Against the youthful figure with no lawyer by his side. If he'd shown sorrow he just might have found a friendly face that night But he showed nothing and whatever chance he held had died. As the trial neared to a close the judge said, "Stand, my son. We find it very hard to understand what you have done. Unless you have an explanation for this cruel act against our nation, If you would like a chance to speak, then take your final one." "Hard to understand?", the boy spoke with a voice of hate. "If you are here to sentence me that you're a little late! My sentencing has long been done by God and every mother's son, I've been condemned before, your Honor, by the hand of Fate." His words invited insults from an audience unkind Who, left unchecked, would probably have grabbed him from behind Until the sad truth hit their eyes and they began to realize As he addressed the jury that their saboteur was blind. "They call me un-American", he smiled. "A cruel fame For one who fought in foreign lands to save his country's name. While serving in the infantry, I traded sight for victory - How many of the people here would stand and do the same?" "When I returned from overseas I didn't plan to see A Broadway Avenue parade in honor just for me But just a chance to start again within the ranks of normal men A new beginning in the land that I had helped keep free." "But every avenue I chose led to a closing door My handicap was viewed by others like an open sore. Instead of opportunity, a grateful nation handed me A welfare check stuck in my hand and food stamps for the store. "Now quick the land forgets the hand that helped to plant the seed! Are we to be disgraced because we fought when there was need? Or did our strength show other men the weaknesses they have within,7 Remind them that they.owe a debt to patriots like me?" "I felt I should return the honor to my fellow men "And let them have a first-hand look at what my gift had been. Late one night I pulled the spark that put the city in the dark And made them see what I can see - for that I am condemned." A pin dropped would have echoed in there like a cannon's roar As pairs of feet were shuffling and eyes stared at the floor For each man knew he had been named and each felt burdened by the shame And each man feared the Maker he would have to stand before. The jury didn't leave the room. "Not Guilty!"was their cry. The foreman said, "I will not hang a better man than I." The gallery, threatened with removal, sounded out their strong approval And, possibly, a teardrop fell from that young soldier's eye. The judge stood up and smiled at him amid the cries and cheers He said, "Young man, you have been found not guilty by your peers." And, after thinking hard and long, his judgement came out loud and strong - He set the young boy free and gave Society thirty years! |
||
| © Copyright 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Sally S. Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847Ohio |
Bravo.... I enjoyed this very much...a sorrowful tale at beginning, ending in triumph for human spirit. Well done. |
||
|
invertigo18 Member
since 1999-06-14
Posts 53Prairieville, LA., USA |
This is very good. Are you the one who committed the crime???  I hope not. Nevertheless, it was wonderfully written.------------------ Luke Cakalic |
||
|
Krystal Member
since 1999-06-19
Posts 140Shelton,WA USA |
This poem kept me hooked From the beginning to the end; The soldier and his willingness to risk his own life to defend Our country, who turned its backs on him; How powerful, how sad, and yet how true, We all need to think About what our actions will do! Thank you, Balladeer, I really enjoyed this poem. Really made me think. I really loved the surprise ending too... ------------------ Shannon D. Montgomery ("Krystal") |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Back to the top with this one - for FREEDOM's sake. |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I thank you all......freely. |
||
|
Lost Dreamer Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464Somewhere near the Rainbow |
Let me try and dry my eyes so I can see to type, and after this great piece of art so thankful for my sight. Without it I would not be enlightened by all your brilliant work. |
||
|
Fred Hobbs Member
since 1999-06-08
Posts 329Tallahassee, Florida, US |
Balladeer, I missed this one the first time through but I don't know why. This is classic Balladeer which is to say the best we'll find. sandman |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you, lost dreamer and Fred. Your words mean loads. |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
'Deer, I hope you plan to post this again on Independence Day...our new folk will then have a chance to see it. Sunshine ~~~Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. Helen Keller ~~~ |
||
|
linda munday Member
since 2000-06-17
Posts 315Adelaide, Australia |
Balladeer, I enjoy everyone of your poems. Goosebump Check: the count of three, Now look what you've done to me! That has got to be one of your best. How do you make them so long and still keep us captivated? It must be from Linda M. |
||
Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
Sounds like a good idea to me, Balladeer. I loved that last line. Elizabeth I'm grabbing my hat and coat I'm leaving the cat a note Quick call me a ferry boat-getting out of town! |
||
|
passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
you should repost this |
||
|
latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Mike where are you? I am back reading the oldies because I have not seen you around lately. best marty |
||
timothysangel1973
since 2001-12-03
Posts 1725Never close enough |
This is AWESOME and ohhhh so true !! My dad was drafted into the Vietnam war where he was stationed on the artillary base and he lost his hearing in both ears, sending him home with 10% in one ear and 18% in another ear. He was 23 when he came out of the Army and he is 56 now.... the STATE of SC and the gov't just now approved him to receive benefits through the veterans administration and he received 2 hearing aids two weeks ago. For the first time in 33 years my daddy can hear us talk to him without straining or moving closer to us, and he can hear his grandbabies whisper I love you !! This brough tears to my eyes, because these boys give so much of themselves, and often their lives so that we can have the freedoms that we so often take forgranted. Thank you for writing this, it means so much to me, as I am sure it does to others. )))hugs((( Tima I may hate myself in the morning - but I'm gonna love you tonight |
||
|
whitedove Junior Member
since 2005-11-26
Posts 42 |
What a brilliant poem. Initially I was not sure what it was about - but like the others - got hooked. You are such a talent Whitedove |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you, white dove. I'm really glad you enjoy my work Tima, I missed your comment before but I can see the signifigance it has for you. Yes, so many give so much, as you well know. my thanks to you and yours.... |
||
|
suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I thought I'd read all your PIP postings... finding my mistake was truly a treat. *S* Magnificent, Deer One. |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you, suthern gal  |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
