.

One Law Away

Everyone can agree that we all disagree.
__We don’t see what we see quite the same.
We all think that we’re right so we can’t help but fight
__and incite against those who we blame.
It should be no surprise when new conflicts arise
__but some guys who seem wise know the cause.
If we want to have peace and at last find release,
__strife will cease if we just make more laws.

We’ve been told it’s a fact that laws show how to act.
__Laws we lacked were the root of all crime.
Now our lawmakers say, we’re just one law away
__and that they have the answer this time.
Folks need prodding of course, by the prospect of force.
__It’s a source of concern, but it’s small.
Since force won’t be abused, against any accused.
__It is used as the last straw of all.

But with more laws each year, yet more crime, hate and fear,
__it seems clear that we need a fresh start.
We’d all do what we should, if we knew what was good
__and withstood the deceit in our heart.
But the problem we’ve got, good is no longer taught.
__If we sought it, then evil would pause.
There is only one way to have peace every day.
__We must pray then obey all God’s laws.

__

__

True Justice

True justice, if it’s truly just,
needs Lady Justice to be blind.
But since she peeks, it’s hard to trust
that she’ll judge with a neutral mind.

True justice needs a balanced scale
to weigh the facts once proven true.
Instead, it’s feelings that prevail
weighed on a scale that’s now askew.

True justice holds a mighty sword
that should be wielded sparingly.
It’s brandished now above the horde
to keep us all on bended knee.

True justice must apply to all.
To every gender, creed, and hue.
To every group from large to small.
To he/him, she/her, me and you.

True justice needs our laws to be
applied as written in the past.
But Lady Justice frequently
rewrites the laws the people passed.

True justice isn’t now the goal
of those upon the judgment seat.
What’s needed to retain control
is justified by our elite.

True justice must begin within
since we all struggle to be just.
True earthly justice can’t begin
until we see that with disgust.

True justice if it’s to be found
must start by seeking out the Lord.
His love and mercy will abound.
We’ll have, but rarely need the sword.

__

__

Warren Bonham is a private equity investor who lives in Southlake, Texas

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10 Responses

  1. Roy Eugene Peterson

    The problem to me is not that we need more laws, but enforcement of the ones we have. I have always felt that God’s laws match natural and common laws and are the basis for an equitable and just civilization.

    In the third line of “True Justice” did you mean “peeks,” as in sneaking a look, instead of “peaks?”

    Reply
    • Warren Bonham

      I completely agree with you. We either don’t enforce, or else we selectively enforce, the laws we already have. Adding more laws we may or may not enforce isn’t going to help.

      Embarrassing, but you’re 100% right about the spelling of “peeks”. I’m not sure Lady Justice is wearing a blindfold at all but if she is, she is definitely peeking.

      Reply
  2. Russel Winick

    Warren, I enjoyed both poems. One Law Away is especially masterful in rhyme, meter, and message. Thank you for providing these fine reads.

    Reply
  3. Phil S. Rogers

    May I assume the poem, One Law Away, suggesting new laws and use of force which “won’t be abused, against any accused” is pure sarcasm?
    In True Justice, the line “What’s needed to retain control is justified by our elite,” says it all.

    Reply
    • Warren Burt Bonham

      There was definitely a heavy dose of sarcasm in the line about the abuse of force. Sadly, our “justice” system seems to have many of the hallmarks of what I think you’d find in a third-world country.

      Reply
    • Warren Bonham

      Thanks! I like the extra rhymes, but it definitely reduces your flexibility when you’re writing.

      Reply
  5. Cynthia Erlandson

    I like both poems very much, but especially the first, for the way you’ve consistently carried the internal rhyme in the odd numbered lines through to add a third rhyme to them in the even numbered lines. Very clever, and great content, too.

    Reply

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