Justifying Thievery Poem by DOMINIC PREMPEH

I asked the man in black; standing under the scorching sun
Why at all will you take bribe?
He frowned; earlier
Then smiled; later, and said…
Wait, under that tree
Before thirty minutes he was with me, traffic was less
Then he started…

Do you know how much the ‘goat-taking' judge will take?
And if you default that fine, the years you will serve in jail?
And do you know the amount those corrupt warders take
Just to reduce punishment and work-load for a day?
Have you thought of the waste of time and energy?
And, the resources that family and friends will waste
And have you reminisce on the after jail stigma?

My brother; he continued…
This small penny you have ‘dashed' me
Slashes all the answers on the questions I have asked you
It saves you time, energy and resources
Nobody knows you were caught and punished with this
This is simple, smarter and cool
So you better pay than go to jail

(15th Jan.,2016; Ofoase)