Crime, And Justice... Poem by Eric Cockrell

crime, and justice,
how do we decide?
the crime committed,
but what caused the crime?

poverty, need,
addiction, hopelessness.
the anger of the owned,
lashing out indiscriminately.

but the choice is still there.
in the final it is!
but violence breeds violence,
and greed breeds violence.

we bury the victim,
listening for footsteps down the hall.
the executioner closes his eyes
as if to absolve.

and we bury another.
those that have still have.
well protected, well insulated,
and the courtroom is empty.

choices?
who owns the choice?
in the final judgement,
whose hands will be clean?