The blood cried out. The evidence was plain.
The perpetrator was in custody.
And, to deter the rest from raising Cain,
He was exiled in perpetuity.
But that did not prevent the rise of crime.
(These criminals resist all reformation
by flogging, maiming, fines or doing time.)
At last the Judge decreed in His frustration,
You shed a man’s blood, your own blood will be shed!
Recidivists would not escape this plan.
Not even seeing all the killers dead
Reduced man’s inhumanity to man.
Oh, I give up! His Honor loudly cried,
Resigned His post, stretched out His arms, and died.

This article appears in August 14 2006.