Convicted Truth Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Lies have caught thieves,
Up to their elbows in committing misdeeds.
And they plead for leniency.
Forgiveness and empathy.
Since from their point of view,
They were doing their best to represent...
A society built on fantasy and greed.
And admitting the truth few these days would do,
They perceived the doing would set them free.
Knowing this is more threatening and a risk,
To their criminal lives to have lived.
Then being sentence to a minimum security prison.
Being bored to death by rehabilitation programs.
With daily conferences to meet,
Book publishers, movie producers.
And college administrators seeking them to teach,
New methods of crime performed on urban streets.
This...
Today's crooks exclaim in protest,
Is against their religious and moral beliefs.
And preferences they were told they would receive,
By court appointed lawyers.

"Your pleas have been noted.
However...
It is the opinion of the judge and the jury,
Your willingness to admit the truth..
Without being provoked.
Is frightening.
And besides...
We've already prepared your contracts,
With various media outlets.
And I,
As presiding judge of this court...
Will I give up my finder's fee,
For such an outrageous request to be set free...
Back into a society crazed?
What kind of system,
Do you think we are running here! "

-A capitalistic, materialistic society.
Smothered in hypocrisy.-

"Again...
I must say,
Your truth is refreshing.
However...
One gotta do what one gotta do!
Looks like boredom is going to be yours.
For a while.
You'll appreciate it more,
After your first T.V. interview."