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My Inner Attorney

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in
heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your
name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never
knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” —Matthew 7:21-23

Like most, I strode upon a road
__that wasn’t very narrow.
And when I’d fall, I’d always call
__my inner Clarence Darrow

I have to say, I’d often stray
__and sometimes did so daily.
When things looked bad, I also had
__my inner F. Lee Bailey

In no time flat, they’d come to chat
__and start their preparation.
They’d listen to what I’d been through
__to ready their oration.

They ordered me, “Sit silently”,
__while they did all the talking.
My legal team could make it seem
__I’d only been jaywalking.

I’d smugly sit, so fortunate,
__I was well represented.
All of my lies and alibis
__were perfectly presented.

They’ve not yet lost, each case got tossed
__without adjudication.
When they were through, I’d head back to
__my highway to damnation.

But now I wait at Heaven’s Gate,
__which looks to be quite narrow.
I wait to hear, but won’t, I fear
__from Bailey or from Darrow.

I start to speak, my voice sounds weak,
__“I’d like to come unto you.”
But then I hear the words I fear,
__“Depart, I never knew you.”

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Poet’s Note: Many individuals appear on any list of the greatest criminal defense attorneys of all time, but two that are named consistently are Clarence Darrow and F. Lee Bailey. Darrow is perhaps best known for his involvement in the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925 which challenged the teaching of evolutionary theory in the school system. Bailey was more contemporary and had many famous clients including O.J. Simpson and Patty Hearst.

..

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

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25 Responses

  1. Mark Stellinga

    A very entertaining piece of fairly tricky rhyme-n-meter, Warren, and a fun way to start the day – well done. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Roy E. Peterson

    I savored each rhyme in this one, Warren, which were so excellently presented. Indeed, in the end, we will all be called upon to represent ourselves as you eloquently pointed out. Great stuff!

    Reply
    • Warren Bonham

      We can’t say that we weren’t given full knowledge in advance, but I’ve got a lot of work to do on my speech.

      Reply
  4. Paul A. Freeman

    Ironic that your poem appears today as Felon Trump prepares for inauguration.

    Reply
    • Brian A. Yapko

      What do you think you gained, Paul, by hijacking Warren’s fine poems so you could express your resentment at Trump’s election with a rather sad display of schadenfreude? I have no doubt the appellate court will reverse the irregular conviction. But by all means, milk the word “felon” if it titillates you before the reversal occurs.

      Reply
  5. Gigi Ryan

    Dear Warren,
    Even the very title of this poem is sharp (like a two edge sword). I immediately knew what you were getting at before I began the poem.
    Your ending gave me chills. I suppose I was expecting the speaker to repent, so there would be a happy ending, but the poem’s power is in reality of the consequence of excuse making and trusting in oneself.
    The comparison of two clever attorneys and the inner dialog is fitting.
    Aside from excellent content, the flow of the poem is perfect. I love the contrast of the lulling pace and the shocking ending.
    Bravo, Warren.
    Gigi

    Reply
    • Warren Bonham

      The references to Bailey and Darrow date myself but getting internally legalistic is a trap I often fall into. I’m very glad you enjoyed this one.

      Reply
  6. Brian A. Yapko

    Excellent poetry, Warren! I especially appreciate the depiction of a corrupt justice system when weighed against true Justice.

    Reply
    • Warren Bonham

      Finding true justice is impossible when humans are involved. Clever attorneys and prosecutors are adept at turning a blind eye to true evil while making misdemeanors seen like capital offenses.

      Reply
  7. Mike Bryant

    Warren, I like the playful form containing a serious message. No one can live up to the letter of the law. We are fortunate that God judges our hearts… or maybe not!? Because you are comparing heavenly justice with our earthly laws, I was reminded of this quote:

    The average professional in this country wakes up in the morning, goes to work, comes home, eats dinner, and then goes to sleep, unaware that he or she has likely committed several federal crimes that day…
    No social class or profession is safe from this troubling form of social control by the executive branch, and nothing less than the integrity of our constitutional democracy hangs in the balance. – Alan M. Dershowitz (Famous Liberal Constitutional Attorney)

    “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23

    Reply
  8. Cynthia Erlandson

    This is delightful in its wordplay, while serious in its content. Like Mike, I love the playful form with the serious message.

    Reply
    • Warren Bonham

      I’m glad the balance seemed to work. I took a bit of a risk with the style but it sounds like the message wasn’t lost.

      Reply
  10. Margaret Coats

    With God’s grace, one can live up to His Law, as the few who are saints have shown abundantly. Even sinners who over and over again fail, but habitually repent and make efforts to do as God asks, can live the course of their lives in His grace. Warren, you speak in this poem not like a saint or even like a regularly repentant sinner, but “like most.” Those are your first words, and you go on to describe what “most” are like. They spend their entire lives in sin, but more important, they habitually excuse themselves so they can continue to sin with no reference to what they know God wants of them, or to the graces He provides on a daily basis. They have INTERNAL disregard for God (hearts turned to evil, one might say) as they call on the best “inner attorneys” they can get. That’s your whole point. This is not an easy salvation poem, and I’m glad to see it, because too many think egomaniac hearts will get a pass at the end, when they want God ONLY because there’s no other good left to want. Even at the end, what’s important to “most” is what “I’d like” but never wanted before. You show how selfishness, and particularly egoistic thinking, leave a soul unknown to God. This is a very difficult point to make, but you do so very effectively. It’s quite an accomplishment to support Scripture and the unswerving tradition of Christian ethics, relying on the Lord’s own words as you do.

    Reply
  11. Warren Bonham

    You completely and eloquently captured what I was attempting to convey. That you for the very thoughtful and careful read.

    Reply
  12. Peter Lillios

    A technical masterwork, as well as packing quite a punch. Love the rhyme scheme!

    Reply
  13. Shamik Banerjee

    Excellent craft, Mr. Bonham. It’s a satisfying piece, and I had a smile put on the whole time I read it.

    Reply

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