In a Bind – KensView

Over at court, corruption was laid bare,
A Big Kahuna’s deeds, foul and unfair.
The evidence was piled, a mountain high,
Yet dark shadows prowled beneath the sky.
Overtones of power, glimpses of gold,
Whispers of secrets, very long untold.
The juror’s mind was a tangled maze,
Caught in the web of societal craze.
But as deliberation steamed the air,
A silence soon fell, infused with despair.
For justice, it would seem, had a price to pay,
And thus morals and truth began to sway.
One by one, members cast their vote,
Their hearts heavy, their minds remote.
Knowing the truth but fearing the great cost
To defy the powerful who would be crossed.
Guilty, guilty, guilty, his conscience cried,
But “Not Guilty” sounded, as justice died.
His verdict spoken, his duty done,
The juror was thanked, the System had won.
Given chance to do what’s right, he had failed;
His sense of honor, self-worth had derailed.
After all, what lesson had been learned?
Oblige the powerful, or you’ll get burned.
So he returned home to hide the shame
Having been caught up in a sordid game.
But just when guilt started to fade away,
A hard knock came before the break of day.
The juror opened his door, heart in throat,
Perceiving a change of fate, a bad note.
When the goons entered with hood and ties,
He asked, “Why?” with incredulous surprise.
“I voted ‘acquit’ and met his demands,”
“You took too long, so now reach out your hands.”