Father’s Dilemma

A Poem

Mr. Kings, a minister in the temple of justice,

Dealing in fairness and being proud of his profession

Greatly admired by his son who wants to follow in his steps,

Believing in the exalted and noble vocation.

Then the night that the robbers came calling

Three men with evil intent, steal away their peace and possessions.

Nothing was spared, he was beaten, and his wife was assaulted.

And the son watched, helpless.

While they were recuperating

Came the great news,

The men had been caught.

Hurray!

Justice will be done.

The trial finally began.

And the family were in court.

And all three men were there.

The State made its case and brought its evidence.

The defence also made its case.

They had crucial evidence, proof that one of the three

Was on a sick bed on the said day of the crime.

But how could this be? the family wondered and asked.

He was there and was the leader of the group.

He gave the orders and had a limp in his left leg.

He it was who gave Mrs. Kings a blow on the cheek.

How could he not have been there?

Then the verdict came.

Case dismissed,

The three were not sentenced,

But asked to go free, discharged.

His son, with his hopes of justice fading,

Innocently asked in confusion,

“Why aren’t they punished?”

His father tried to explain,

Legal technicality.

Mrs. Kings is distressed and so is their son.

He has tried to explain,

But no one is listening.

His son has decided not to follow in his steps after all,

He had thought it was about justice.

But now he’s convinced it is not.

The King’s home is no longer the peaceful haven it once was.

And he doesn’t know what to do.

Thank you for reading.

This poem is my way of expressing some of my thoughts and sometimes frustration with the law.

It is quite a common and unfortunate reality within the legal system. Legal technicality can often truncate the course of justice leading to frustration and disillusionment.

What do you think?