Acquittal........ Poem by RIC BASTASA

he was caught
in the web of illegality
and he was handcuffed
and mauled and charged and
imprisoned.
he says he did not commit
any crime.
he says his wife's arm was
amputated.
he says his daughter was
taken as hostage.
his brother peppered with
bullets by his enemies.
he says he had no hand grenade
had no cal 45 pistol in his keeping
he says early morning he sent his
son to school and picked up passengers
along the way
he says the men in uniform stopped him
searched him and
planted evidence on him.
he says he is innocent and suffering
from the misused power of the state.

and then i believed him.