On His First Year In The Study Of Law Poem by RIC BASTASA

soon you will learn
how power is sown
here
they all start from the
good grasp of the law
memorizing
the essence of
its spirit
intended for that perpetual
quest of justice
and peace but at this early
you must have realized
mr. novice
that that is only a matter
of euphemism
for after all those years
of hardship
you shall then insist on
reaping the fruits of your
intellectual labor
for in the skill of your hands
and your wits
less now the humor
you will know by then
how to make the needed twists
and blend the turns
the law now becoming
your ardent servant
to pursue that most private
pursuit of personal happiness
totally disregarding
the demands of public welfare
that greatest law
set aside
in favor of your
selfish interest...

welcome
take the initial seat of power
and now we prepare
you for that insatiable greed