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Open Poetry #37
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A Human Being
| Open Poetry #37 |
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A Human Being |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion 
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In a too-close windowless room, strangers share armrests and sit in stunned air, suddenly aware of the seriousness of this summoning. We cannot help but stare at the two young men in front of us. An eye watches, too, fixed to capture them while hiding us from view. Our ears strain to hear the strange, slow rhythms of a system’s singular pulse; each of us toggling between the desire to flee and curiosity – to witness this story, to become part of it. An internal whisper forms, soft then rising, now nearly audible, a single pitch, one word, one, it hums, floats above the crowd: murder. Right behind it, a second chant, this one more subtle. It slithers round our legs and planted feet, this wisp, this dark-fog of thought: prejudice – biases we knew we had and those we now must acknowledge. Being by being, testimonial is given, all pretence of enlightenment falls away, and who we really are, exposed. One by one we are called upon to bare some version of truth, to tell our own stories – traumas, horrors and stupidities that we allowed to form us. Finally, twelve are handed the heaviest of responsibilities. Some of us carry it willingly, the rest are resigned. Either way, two lives are ours to judge. Colors become at once clearer and more gray. |
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| © Copyright 2006 Corinne - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
It is indeed a most auspicious moment when we are called to serve... and you wrapped this well in shades of gray. Thank you, my friend. |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Corinne Good write, good end. Enjoyed |
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
Perhaps I should rethink my stance on this... Its been my belief that I would never want my future determined by 12 people not smart enough to get out of jury duty. But, this gives me pause...there may yet be hope |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
There is no easy way to get out of jury duty much, anymore...they don't take notes from our employers any longer; they don't do much unless you can prove, bona fide, that you were witness to an ordeal that would prove fatal to the defendant, if necessary... they let you linger in voir dire until the question comes to you; why is it you cannot serve. Trust me...they will judge you until you can judge, or let be. Corinne, thank you again...sorry I got on the bandwagon, but it is not easy to shirk one's duty any longer. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
This is a powerful write. I have served on three juries, but never a capital trial. quote: Exactly as it must be, if justice is to be the end result of a trial by jury. |
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poettothecars Senior Member
since 2006-02-10
Posts 1093New Zealand |
this one speaks of another 12 to me for ye are all disciple's unto him a poet who cares |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Thank you all very much! Wranx, Karilea is correct -- the process of jury selection has greatly evolved. Judges and laywers no doubt become quite good at digging beneath surface layers to determine what kind of prospective juror they have before them. They also use questionnaires beforehand to delve into jurors' pasts. And many of the old excuses have gone by the wayside. An employer's inconvenience, for example, is not an excuse. There were over 160 of us on day 1. Half of those filled out hardship forms. Of those, at least half of them were back the next day after having their requests denied. I didn't bother trying to get out of it, but tried to look at it as an experience. Corinne |
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