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Branch Isole, a poet and author, writes about issues and emotions surrounding personal responsibility choice and avoidance. Known in Hawaii as the ‘voyeuristic poet’ his style and presentation is more a whisper than a shout, directed at the mind as well as the senses. www.manaopublishing.com Carl's Bad Kid by Branch Isole
He entered the courtroom white as a ghost Six months of confinement county jailer his host The charge was murder in the first degree Killed her son they said, first step of a spree? Hysteria reigned that rainy morning the son now dead the mother in mourning He denied the charges saying he loved her still She had stood by him married now, not against her will Their fate to be decided by twelve of his peers Lethal injection one option or perhaps twenty-five years? A readied prosecution all ducks in a row The list of witnesses one by one in tow Her friends and relatives ulterior motives each To see this boy, this boy from the beach Tried, lied and hopefully fried One week went by then number two Now the defense but what would they do? What kind of defense no one quite knew Only one witness for the boy it was true It would be up to the accused to describe the scene the one that took place before he heard his wife scream Nothing left to do except tell the truth That was to be his only proof “I thought it was a dream the ball beneath my back until I realized it was poor little Jack” “Not really moving but still ok I left him to sleep ‘til the break of day” The forensics in all opinions stated Jury deliberations the next day were slated Back and forth the arguments went Guilty, not guilty After eight hours all jurors were spent Fresh for a second day of talks Outside in the hall both attorneys did walk Twelve votes seesawed back and forth Six yeas, six nays, now eight and four Adjournment once again the weekend at hand Monday they’d reconvene to review the lay of the land On the third day they voted but to no avail, tempers flared discussions failed Asking for transcripts what had been missed? Once again they reviewed their list Recounting stories told by both sides involved Surely the answer there to this mystery be solved The county’s star witness had left a clue Overlooked by all who should have knew To gain peace and quiet throughout the house To escape the pressures a hand over a mouth Strain of the moment of fury befitted It became obvious . . . the mother did it
Branch Isole © 2007 |