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Open Poetry #3
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The Horrible Crime........from the vaults
| Open Poetry #3 |
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The Horrible Crime........from the vaults |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA 
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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! |
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| © Copyright 1999 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved | |||
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IsabelleSkye Member
since 1999-06-27
Posts 253 |
Wonderful....I got a bit misty eyed. What an inspiring piece!  Izzzzzzzzzzy |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
An incredibly moving piece. Thanks for posting this. Why is it that our society deals so shabbily with our veterans? I don't understand it at all. Just take a look at, oh, let's say, a veterans hospital? (just one example) Shouldn't these heroes get our best and not our worst? I'm off my soapbox now. Again, GREAT POEM! ------------------ Denise |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Well done, my Deer friend - You do have a plethora of life's lessons stored up for us, don't you? Keep 'em coming - We can never get enough from you... And Denise, we have lots of really big soap boxes around here - Ron keeps a secret stash that I borrow from once in awhile... |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Very well done Balladeer ------------------ This is courage...to bear unflinchingly what heaven sends. ~Eurpides |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
I agree with D up there. Quite the talent you have Balladeer! this was great!!! |
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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments |
Wow, an inspiring, heartfelt story you have here, Balladeer. Truly awesome.. ------------------ *Krista Knutson* Wise is he who faces the frailty of man with the strength of an understanding heart. -- Daniel L. Miller |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you all for your kind words. Being one myself, Denise I don't understand it, either. Nan, I don't have a plethora...just a lot of them. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Balladeer, I know where your comming from because I've been there. Great poem. |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
Another triumph, oh Storyteller ... Nocht ------------------ "Nunc lento sonitu dicunt, morierus" (Now as I hear this bell tolling softly for another, it says to me, "Thou must die.") |
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caroline Senior Member
since 1999-08-16
Posts 1218http://members.xoom.com/belladona123/index.htm |
Masterful, powerful work, Sir Balladeer ------------------ "Tread softly, for I have spread my dreams under your feet"~~William Butler Yeats |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you, Sy, Nochtdraco, and Caroline.....very much. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
In simple terms...this is poetry!  |
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desperado Member
since 1999-05-24
Posts 312FT Hood,Tx |
very well done. I think I've seen similar to it before, yet it didn't seem anything like this. my hat is off to you. may I be able to write like this all the time. and congrats on a job well done. |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
I echo all above Sir.... Another Masterpiece for sure!! ------------------ May your days be filled with lots of sunshine and your nights lit up by golden moonbeams |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
DeVine one and desperado, thank you very much for your comments. Pepper, you call me sir one more time, I'm gonna spank you! hehe....thank you. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
How many times have they tried to show us folks who were not there the tears and scars of war. We take so many things for granted. This is great! |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Bal, yet with another one, yoiu give me chills. I don't understand it either...I was in the Navy, though I wasn't in the war...and I have at least a little understanding of what those of youmight have had to go through, thouh I'm sure I could never know the true depths. Another masterful telling, one that will stick in my mind for quite some time. |
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PhaerieChild Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787Aloha, Oregon |
Balladeer, This was awesome and awe inspiring. It really hit home cuz a lot of my friends are vets and have really had a hard time dealing with this even after 30 years ------------------ If you love me like music, I'll be your song. ~Heart~ Dreamboat Annie |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
You may not rhyme without a reason *S* but give you that reason and you will create a rhyme that knocks on our tear ducts and settles in our hearts. Well done, 'Deer one!!! |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
Sir Balladeer: Once again, you have helped us to see a greater truth. It is a wonderful gift you have and my thanks again for sharing your gift... I bow to you and yours. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Thank you, friends. It is a poem based on sad truth, for sure. |
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Pufalove Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 119Houston, Tx. USA |
Echo to all of the above. I truly love the way your poety flows and introduces new topics to ponder. I've missed reading them so will have to catch up. Bravo! ------------------ O all ye powers that he implanted, Arise, keep silence no more; put forth the strength that he hath granted, your noblest work is to adore. |
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Iloveit Senior Member
since 1999-09-02
Posts 1121NM |
I love your poems, each one is a treasure, and as I read more and more I find that the real treasure is the author himself |
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Watcher666 Senior Member
since 1999-10-13
Posts 1606 |
What an inspiring story you have woven here.Liked this much! ------------------ Illusion...what we see and what we do...it's all up to you. |
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