Truth. Poem by Michael Walker

Truth.

Rating: 5.0


('I cannot tell a lie'. George Washington (1732-1799) . First President of the United States 1789-1797) .

Although I think it is important to be truthful in conversation,
I think there are necessary white lies to protect yourself too.
Is there anyone who always speaks the truth even in trivial details?
However, a constant liar in great things is a menace to others.


To speak the truth under oath in court is a grave matter,
with the crime of perjury being an incentive not to lie.
Taking the oath on a bible is an argument for God's existence
in a higher court where He is the judge with no appeals.

Notwithstanding, I feel that a trial before a judge and jury
is more likely to pronounce a just verdict than a judge alone.
Too often in my country, I read of leniency for celebs
who are acquitted. The judge ignores, ' No man is above the law'.

That discrimination reminds me of Good Friday in Jerusalem
and Pilate's response to Jesus: 'Truth. What is that? '

-16,17 November,2018.

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
George Washington is famous for saying that he could not tell a lie. He learnt that strict lesson from his father and never forgot it. You could contrast Washington with Richard Nixon, the president of Watergate with its myriad of lies and acts of perjury by many characters-including Nixon himself- most of whom were jailed. Nixon was pardoned by Gerald Ford.
I have set out my my thoughts on truth, which I think is usually essential, but you can make exceptions in small things just to protect your own interests. In no circumstances would I tell a major lie, or condone it in others. Many people have committed perjury in court, usually because they have something to hide, or to gain an illegal advantage. The novelist Jeffrey Archer is just one who was imprisoned for committing perjury in a damages claim against a newspaper. Having served time, Archer is back to writing bestsellers again. Justice has been done to a man who was Lord Archer and President of the Conservative Party for a while.
In my country I have read time and time again how a famous defendant, like an All Black, gets special treatment and is unfairly acquitted or given a light sentence. People in high positions can also benefit from this favoritism and leniency by judges. That just would not happen in Australia, the U.K. and the U.S.. Everyone is treated the same there. It does not matter who the defendant is. The foundation of the legal system, 'No man is above the law' was part of Magna Carta, which the English barons forced King John to sign at Runnymede in June 1215. The Great Charter has remained important ever since, as a document which states that people have the right to equal treatment before the law, and many other basic rights.
I have always been struck by Pilate's cynical reply to Jesus-about truth. (John 17: 38,39) . But the appeal to me of the sentence is more than just Pilate's cynicism and I can't define it exactly.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Practicing Poetess 17 November 2018

Summed up simply, and true to its title. Good work, Michael!

3 0 Reply
Kumarmani Mahakul 22 November 2018

God's existence comes in argument of many others but we can never deny his existence. Good Friday is remembered with celebration and Divine perception. Every response motivates mind. An excellent poem is beautifully penned and translated...10

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Michael Walker 22 November 2018

Yes, swearing an oath on the bible in court is a sign to many that God exists. Some people, of course, refuse to swear on the bible. In the true crime books which I have read, there is always a distinction between a defendant or (plaintiff) stating something under oath, or not under oath. 'Under oath' is much more solemn, to me. You make telling points about 'Divine perception'.

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Darwin Henry Beuning 20 November 2018

Michael, Outstanding poem! ! ! I have added it to my poem list. I rate a 10.

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Michael Walker 21 November 2018

Thanks Darwin. It took me many drafts and revisions to get this right.

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Rajnish Manga 18 November 2018

Thanks for this powerful write, Michael. This kind of judicial partiality affects probity in public life and is greatly embarrassing to the common man who contributes to the exchequer to sustain the system.

2 0 Reply
Michael Walker 19 November 2018

You are right: it is not fair at all to the common man. He is treated more harshly in the NZ legal system than famous people. How do I know? By reading newspaper reports of trials. Thanks.

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Thabani Khumalo 18 November 2018

this is obviously way wider than the word could ever be able to state it clearly. thank you for writing

2 0 Reply
Michael Walker 18 November 2018

Thanks for your positive, encouraging comment. Most appreciated.

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doug scotney 17 November 2018

lies are often excused as rhetoric

3 0 Reply
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