Advice Denied Recognized Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Whatever the decisions one has made,
In evaluating a direction taken.
Should not be questioned,
By others who protest...
Of an innocence one claims.
Yet finds intimidation,
A weapon to use as if done upon request.
To expect those upset to appreciate being,
Dragged into the spotlight.
Receiving attention.
An attention normally they would not get.

And...
Then become subjected,
Of being accused to have permitted...
One obviously smothered in guilt to refuse,
Effective advice denied recognized.
With this publicly to declare,
A few mistakes they have made...
Others could have prevented.
Before and not after,
Facts of such irresponsible acts...
Had been taken to ignore them.
If 'they' had made aware,
More interest shown with less to question.

"Oh...
Please continue to defend your innocence."

And those thrown under a bus,
To have been crushed...
Volunteered!
They should have known to first validate,
The qualifications of the driver.
And not depend upon what they hear.
Since no one should 'assume'...
A destination promised,
Without proof of evidence.
Or competence of the driver.

"And this is your defense?
More revealing of your guilt.
Without hint of innocence? "

Yeah.
Why?
I know it is strong.
But you must admit,
It was not me...
Who did anything wrong!

"Ladies and gentlemen,
Witnessing this that appears.
And members of the judicial system.
Let us all take a brief recess,
To 'try' and digest...
What is clearly an exceptional,
Moment in time...
Hoping reality returns to our minds."

That shouldn't take too long.
But then again...
The reality I have known,
Most of my life...
Has been difficult to convince,
Others of the abundance of it.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,
I do not envy any of you at all.
This 'case' may take,
More than a task...
Then the court has asked,
To forget the enormity of that basket to make.
We only request you do the best you can.
The court is now in recess.
Bailiff?
Ensure the remaining 'psychiatrists',
We are prepare to provide them...
With mental assistance as well."