Defendants Poem by Lawerence Mize, Sr.

All rise I yell
At the start of the day
When going to court
It's the defendants who pay

Sometimes I look
At the shaky knees
The smell of fear
Like rotten leaves

Faces blank
Eyes staring straight ahead
Trying to remember
Words once said

The chains and cuffs
That bind and chafe
Steals their identity
Makes us safe

Accused they are
Come to plead their case
Make a deal
Get back in the race

Some prove innocent
Walk away free
Others found guilty
Still can't see

The harm that's done
to you and me...
And doing the time
That's never free