But I don’t live there

Posted on 2024-01-16 by Bartholomew Barker

Perry Mason to Jack McCoy
arguments rise to crescendo
dramatic twist as witness breaks
down and we see the villain
actually innocent

I’ve been one of the twelve
angry men in a jury room
after sitting through a two week
trial and it was boring
no gasps from the gallery

The defendant did not threaten
the judge nor did he delay
his appointment with the law
by perpetual motions

In my ideal America politics is dull
courts are not reality television
and justice comes swift and fair

(For Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt and Living Poetry’s Monday Prompt.)

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About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker is an organizer of Living Poetry, a collection of poets in the Triangle region of North Carolina where he has hosted a monthly feedback workshop for more than decade. His first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular, written in and about strip clubs, was published in 2013. His second, Milkshakes and Chilidogs, a chapbook of food inspired poetry was served in 2017. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he lives and writes poetry.
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12 Responses to But I don’t live there

  1. DD's avatar Deedee (DD) says:
    2024-01-16 at 21:43

    I’ve been on a jury only once. After three days we were all dismissed because one of the jurors was seen having lunch with her boyfriend, the Sergeant of police giving evidence in the case.
    I’m glad your experience was less eventful.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. johnlmalone's avatar johnlmalone says:
    2024-01-16 at 23:04

    I like the journey this little piece went on —

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. berniebell1955's avatar berniebell1955 says:
    2024-01-17 at 05:26

    “In my ideal America politics is dull
    courts are not reality television
    and justice comes swift and fair”

    Not just in America!

    You’ve done it again Bart. Few words – big picture. In m’blog tomorrow.

    Liked by 2 people

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  4. Cassa Bassa's avatar Cassa Bassa says:
    2024-01-17 at 16:04

    Is that photo from the movie “killing the mockingbird”?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Dawn Pisturino's avatar Dawn Pisturino says:
    2024-01-18 at 11:10

    I concur! I was called for jury duty in December and was only excused because my husband had just had surgery.

    Liked by 2 people

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