Civilized Law

the jury hangs you out to dry even
though your clothes are not wet,
but a conviction is required
once in a while
if we are going to be perceived
as somewhat civilized;
a mad dog barks down the street
seeking forgiveness and is shot
at Fifth and Main just in front
of a funeral parlor that seems
to have the same name as the dog
and no one is alarmed except
the women of indecent exposure
who surround his limp body;
justice rides in and out of town
as if tarred and feathered
as we applaud their efforts
towards seeking out the truth,
knowing all along that truth
is all that is left once the facts
of the case have been removed.

26Aug16